August 31st, 1846: The "poor day labourers" of Templecarrig, Delgany, Co Wicklow, seek work. Their memorial is presented to Dublin Castle by George Hudson, JP and member of the Bray relief committee.
Writing from the Kildare Street Club, Mr Hudson points out that he is the only resident gentleman in the Bray relief district no. 6. "Instead of being assisted by those from whom I expected aid, I have been opposed in every possible way, and in many cases most vexatiously so, in endeavouring to get for the poor that employment which a paternal government seemed to wish they should get.
He has taken on extra men and increased the wages of his labourers from six shillings a week to 7s.,7s.6d. and 8s., "according, to the number of their family".
The proposed relief work would benefit the neighbourhood, and provide Mr Hudson with a safer road to drive from Templecarrig House into Bray.
In their submission, the labourers - William McDaniel has signed for those who cannot write - describe conditions. A few of the poorest families had been receiving a stone of Indian meal per week gratuitously from the Bray relief committee, which is now charging 10d. a stone. "If it was not for the goodness of one or two gentlemen and the farmers in our neighbourhood, many of us must have perished."
A number of landholders, headed by Peter La Touche, certify that this is a true statement.
Meanwhile, in Co Roscommon, the tenants of Cloonahee, Elphin, petition Thomas Conroy, the hated agent of Denis Mahon: "Our families are really and truly suffering and we cannot much longer withstand their cries for food. We have no food for them, our potatoes are rotten and we have no grain."
Promised employment by Major Mahon, the tenants were turned away by a Board of Works supervisor so that relief works will not be completed too quickly.
They continue menacingly:
"Gentlemen, you know little of the state of the suffering poor ... are we to resort to outrage? We fear that the peace of the country will be much disturbed if relief be not immediately, more extensively afforded to the suffering peasantry. We are not for joining in anything illegal or contrary to the laws of God or the land, unless pressed to it by HUNGER."
A sub-inspector of constabulary writes from Co Cork: "A stranger would wonder how these wretched beings find food... Clothes being in pawn there is nothing to change. They sleep in their rags and have pawned their bedding."
From St Mullins Lower. Co Carlow - where prior to the temperance movement faction fights were a common occurrence - it is reported that "there are 500 able-bodied men having nothing to do and, if not now, very soon to be without provision".