CH. IV.] AGED AND INFIRM POOR. 1?1 



County of Roscommon ; examinations taken by F. Diggens, Esq., and W. 

 T. M'Cullagh, Esq.; parish of Kilkeevan, barony of Sallintobber. 

 Seventeen witnesses. 



The number of aged poor supported by their relations 

 is very small, in comparison with those who live by begging. 

 In general the sons seem willing to support their parents, 

 but much depends on their wives, who often consider 

 what is thus given to be taken from their own children. 



There is a great repugnance to beg, but for the last fif- 

 teen years the spirit of the people has been so broken 

 down, that children are no longer ashamed to see their 

 parents beg. What used to be the boast and pride of 

 an Irishman, is lost in the poverty of the day. 



As for the rest, those who beg are better off than the 

 others. There are no hospitals. The subscriptions bring 

 in nothing ; but if the able-bodied population could obtain 

 employment, the Legislature would not have to be troubled 

 with the poor or the infirm. 



Province of Leinster. 



In the union of Cadamstown, the population of which is 

 5000, the number of destitute persons impotent through 

 age is about forty. About twenty, natives of the parish, 

 are beggars ; the rest are strangers, amounting to 200. 



There are about 2 70 supported by their relations, in- 

 cluding widows and aged infirm. Those who beg are 

 better off than the others. 



The Inquiry instituted in the other parts of Ireland gave 

 the same results. 



The age at which the men become incapable of sup- 

 porting themselves by their labour is in general from fifty- 

 five to sixty-five years of age. 



