Fairs & Marts / Portumna

Includes correspondence between GCC, its Solicitor and the Dept of Local Government and others, relating to the Council’s application to constitute itself as a market authority in Portumna, and schedules of fair dates. Includes:-

• Photocopy of signed and dated  indenture between Right hon. George Hubert Earl of Harewood, the Vendor, and GCC, the purchaser, wherein the Council agrees to pay £800 to the Vendor for ‘all his right title and interest in the said Fair Green, Fair and Market, rights tools and Customs and for the said Derelict’, with the latter amounting to 10 acres, two roods and thirty four perches, in Portumna (Parish of Lickmolassy) (15 Oct 1947).
• MO No. 25451 directing that ‘applications be… for an Order under Section 1 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1896, to constituting the Galway County Council as a Market Authority in the town of Portumna…’ (30 Apr 1953).
• Copy of Counsel’s opinion in relation to the Ballinasloe Fairs & Markets (1852-05-24).
• Correspondence between Boula and Gortannumera Young Farmer’s Club and GCC regarding future plans for the fairs in Portumna, a changed location for same, and schedule of dates for the fairs (1953).
• Correspondence between Portumna and District Development Co. Ltd and GCC regarding the Council’s proposal to adopt the provision of S.103 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1879.
• Correspondence between GCC and representatives of objectors from Eyrecourt and Woodford to proposed dates for the Portumna Fairs, on the basis that they clash with their fair days, which resulted in litigation (see for instance 10 Dec 1954, and 4 Jan 1955).
• Schedules of dates, and details relating to the advertisement of same, such as in Olds Moore’s Almanac, includes letter from Co. Secretary to Mr D Kearns of Portumna and District Development Co. Ltd. Stating, ‘I understand since the introduction of Marts very few fairs are held in Portumna and the publishers of Old Moore’s Almanac have asked us to show only fairs which exist and are attended as otherwise it would be misleading to the public’ (9 May 1973).