198 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK II. 



CHAPTER VII. 



ABLE-BODIED PERSONS OUT OF WORK. 



Province of Connaught, county of Galway ; examinations taken by F. 

 Diggens, Esq. and W. T. M'Cullagh, Esq. ; parish of Kilcreest, 

 baronies of Dunkellin and Loughrea. Seventeen witnesses. 



THERE is a general deficiency of work for nearly three 

 months of the year in this parish, during which time very 

 few of the labourers can get any employment. There are 

 many days of winter in which a man would be prevented 

 from working by the inclemency of the weather. 



A witness stated that half the year he had nothing to 

 do, and would be glad to work at sixpence a-day. Whole 

 troops of labourers would take work at that price, espe- 

 cially in the country, for in the towns there is more work 

 to be obtained. The labourers are supported during the 

 slack season chiefly by con-acre ; they often work in the 

 summer-time at sixpence a-day, but in this time of the 

 year the potatoes are twice as dear as in winter, and 

 many workmen are obliged to pledge their clothes in order 

 to support their families, thus rendering it impossible 

 for them to go to mass even in fine weather. Starva- 

 tion drives the workmen to steal potatoes, digging them 

 up before they are fit to eat. The greater part of the 

 people are always in debt ; and when those who have gone 

 to England for work return, there may be half a dozen 

 watching them, each expecting to get part of what is due 



