160 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK II. 



She adds, that all the labourers of the parish assist the 

 widows by working for them on a Sunday. 



Province of Munster, county of Clare ; examinations taken by P. F. 

 Johnston, Esq. and E. B. Molloy, Esq. ; parish of Kilfarboy, 

 barony of Ibrickane. Fifteen witnesses. 



The Commissioners are convinced that it is impossible 

 for the women to earn their subsistence ; nearly all the 

 lands of the parish belong to absentee proprietors, and 

 when the question was put whether these ever contributed 

 to the relief of those who paid them rent, it was answered 

 with a laugh that expressed astonishment at such a thought 

 being entertained. A tithe-valuator, who knew the cir- 

 cumstances of every holding in the parish, declared that 

 he never knew an instance where a widow was spared 

 either in tithe or rent ; that no one of them ever obtained 

 ground or a cabin rent-free ; and, on the contrary, that in 

 many cases, in proportion to their misery, they paid a 

 higher rent. A widow who does not beg, seeks her only 

 means of support in the acquisition of a small piece of con- 

 acre, because the neighbours will dig it for her gratuitously. 



A collection is made at the Protestant church, and 

 among thirteen persons who participate in this money, 

 there are about six widows, all Roman Catholics, and no 

 attempt has ever been made to withdraw them from their 

 faith. This relief, however, does not exceed 2s. a year. 

 One witness stated that there was also a collection made 

 at the Catholic chapel. 



County of Cork ; examinations taken by T. Martin, Esq. and J. Lalor, 

 Esq. ; parish of Liscarrol, barony of Orrery and Kilmore. Twenty- 

 one witnesses. 



The number of widows is twenty-eight. Their misery 



