News: Evictions, 21-Apr-1848

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Tipperary Index
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File contributed by: Mary Heaphy

EVICTIONS, 21-APR-1848 FROM THE TIPPERARY VINDICATOR
  
  Some time since the Bird-Hill property, comprising, I am
informed, upwards of 1500 acres, had fallen into the
possession of Mrs Margaret Ormsby, who resides in
CastleConnell. Part of these lands were previously held by a
middleman, Mr. Stephen Hastings Atkins, who, it is said,
either was ejected or compromised with Mrs. Ormsby. On the
property of Bird Hill was located a national school, where
some two hundred or upwards of the neighbouring children
received the blessings of a religious and moral education,
under the superintendence of Mr. and Mrs.McGrath. The
National School was, it is said, purchased by the Board of
Education for the sum of £150; but when Mr. Atkins gave up
possession of the land, it was taken possession of by Mrs
Ormsby, and converted into a Bible School. As soon as this
school was established, numerous, it is said, were the
inducements held out to the neighbouring Roman Catholic
children to attend it. Among the many, they were to receive
daily one meal of Indian stir about, served out to them, of
course, in forma pauperis. Accordingly several half starved
were attracted to the stirabout school, and now be it stated
that upwards of 70 children of the Roman Catholic persuasion
attend it. The school is daily visited by the Misses Going.
The Catholic Clergymen of Newport have repeatedly warned
their flocks against the school. Mr. Twiss, who has been
made manager of this estate, and who is nephew to the
Landlady, Mrs. Ormsby, ejected several of the tenantry, and
by granting scanty compensation, succeeded in obtaining
voluntary possession. The following are the names of the
unfortunate evicted families who resided on the lands of
Gregaugh.
  
Widow Given, 2 (Number after name is the number in
family.)
  
Michael Bourke, 3

Michael Coffey, 6

George Ryan, 8

Bill Brian, 13

Connor Brien, 13

Denis Ryan, 4

James Nicks, 3

Patt Mack, 3

Mary Nicks, 4

Philip Maher, 6

James Farrell, 5

Con M'Donough, 5

William Nolan, 7

Mary Elliott, 3

Pat Nolan, 6

Widow M'Donough, 6

Con M'Donough 3

John Barron, 4

James Gardner, 4

Patt Gleeson, 4

Michael Gleeson, 3

John Gleeson, 4

John Ginane, 10

Widow Gleeson, 2

Widow Guinane, 2

Widow Ryan, 4

Widow Guinane 4

Mary Ryan, 4

Thomas Guinane, 6

Widow Seery, 6

Jer Ahern, 3

Widow Crow, 4

Denis Ryan, 5

John Ryan, 6

Michael Ryan, 3

Patt Star, 7

James Fionn, 4

Numbering in all the category of 189 human beings.
Mr.Twiss, accompanied by Mr. Gason, Deputy Sub Sheriff, and
a large police force, proceeded to the Roman Catholic chapel
of Bird-Hill, on Friday, and took possession of it, as well
as the holdings of some of the persons above mentioned. No
sooner had Messrs Twiss and Gason, the deputy, invaded the
holy precincts of the chapel, than the former presented
himself to a number of Catholic spectators on the road, and
delivered an harangue on the conditions by which he would
give to the parishioners a lease of the chapel-namely, that
it should be used for religious purposes, and none other.
There was no one present to receive possession, nor, I
believe, did the Catholic ecclesiastical authorities deign
to notice the proceedings.

The Parish Priest of Birdhill, whose chapel has been taken
possession of, has addressed the following letter to
us-(Tipperary Vindicator)

Newport April 17th.

Mr Dear Mr. Lenihan--As you seem to be already in
possession of the affair at Birdhill, so far as last
Friday's business, I have no further information to give you
on that head, except that I had to offer the Holy Sacrifice
of the Mass yesterday, in a house on the Mail Coach road,
the congregation kneeling in the puddles in heavy rain.

I remain, my dear Sir, yours as usual.

  R. Burke. P.P.