Diary of [Michael S Kelly], Loughrea, 1858-1863
Soft backed volume with short handwritten entries - daily through most of 1858 to mid-1861, and weekly subsequently - most of which includes weather observations, together with information regarding agricultural (e.g. price of potatoes and oats), commercial and religious matters, and social life in Loughrea. Includes references to the Reading Room membership. Includes details of turf purchased in Summer 1861 and 1864, and Public Cess 1858-1861.
Example:
‘Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday both fine days after frosty nights.
The Bishop seeds in his pastoral’ (16&17 Feb 1858;
‘Becoming very wet day, showery.
The Baptismal font erected in the Chapel by Joseph O’Brien’ (3 Apr 1858);
‘The weather continues threatening rain, with sharp winds.
Auction at Mt Pleasant of Sergt Major Becroft’s furniture etc, who has been removed to Monaghan.
Ordination of Revd Mr Williams at Ballinasloe’ (2 Jun 1858);
‘The weather continues delightful.
The Comet is to be seen each night in the North-west’ (21 Sept 1858)
‘Mr Byrne Sub-Inspector becomes Member of the Reading Room ½ yr sub. To 1st January 1860. Reception of Town Ladies at Sister’s; Miss Fogarty and Miss Quinlan, Dr Derry with Rev Messrs Griffin, Cahalan, C Galvin etc, attended’ (13 Jun 1859).
‘Constant loud thunder and lightening from 8 o’c. in the mrg, till 2, with some heavy showers. A cow killed at Cloonov by the lightening and a [ ] blown down at St Clerans’ (25 June 1859).
‘No change in the weather which continues very dry - a great scarcity of all kinds of fruit owing to the frosts in May’ (29 Jul 1859).
“Last night & to-day very wet and as a consequent the procession of children to take place at the Chapel postponed till Sunday next. Father [Palley] preached at last Mass - the Bishop at first.
The Militia Band played on the Walls for the first time and it is to do so once a week at the request of the inhabitants to Adjt Lowery’ (15 Aug 1860); and
“The Races came off on these two days and the weather was most delightful. The new stand house erected by Joseph O’Brien was occupied for the first time and Lords Clanricarde, Dunkillin, Dunlo, & Clonbrock were present…” (Whit Monday & Tuesday, 20 & 21 May 1861).
