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Poverty Before the Famine: County Clare 1835

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The title of this book is in part deceiving in that one might assume this area of Ireland was not yet suffering from famine conditions. The conditions described are probably what most people would envision occurring during the famine. Interesting and informative first hand accounts of life in this era are given by an apparent unbiased cross-section of society, Reports, opinions,and views are provided from the parishes of Abbey, Oughtmanagh, Kildysart, Kilfarboy, Kilferagh, Killaloe, Kilmanaheen, Kilnaboy,Tomfinloe, Kilnasullagh, Kilmaleary, and Drumline, The information provided is generally first hand accounts of social conditions, such as how widows, grandparents, vagrants, and illegitimate children lived and were treated. While this is a niche subject this book would be of interest both to people having roots in County Clare and the casual reader,although the later would probably find their interest satisfied after a couple of chapters. Each chapter discusses the conditions in a particular parish of which each is in part some what similar to other parishes. This book is not a novel but it is also not just a book of dry history,it is a story of local life told by the people living it. One would have to be lucky to find specific information on an ancestor in this book, however, if a relative emigrated during this period numerous clues to the reasons for the move can be found.