Politics, pauperism and power in late nineteenth-century Ireland / Virginia Crossman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Crossman, Virginia, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Poor laws--Ireland--History--19th century.

Poor laws.

Poor laws--Ireland--Social aspects.

Poor laws--Ireland--Political aspects.

Poverty--Ireland--History--19th century.

Poverty.

Poor--Ireland--History--19th century.

Poor.

Ireland--Politics and government--1837-1901.

Ireland.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (248 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Place of Publication:

Manchester : Manchester University Press, 2006.

Summary:

The poor laws were a fundamental component of nineteenth-century government throughout the United Kingdom. Ratepayer, pauper, poor law guardian or functionary, almost everyone had an interest in the poor law system. This book presents a study of the nature and operation of the Irish poor law system in the post-famine period. It traces the expansion of the system to encompass a wide range of welfare services, and explains the ideological and political context in which the expansion took place. After a general survey of the poor law system in the nineteenth century, the book analyses the poor law system in Ireland and the role of central government in overseeing the system's operation. It explores the impact of board nationalisation both on poor law administration and on the relationship between central and local administrators. Nationalist guardians were quick to realise that their powers under the Evicted Poor Protection Act could be used to support participants in the land campaign. The government's approach to distress in 1879-1880 was intended to avoid the mistakes made during the Great Famine. A more nuanced analysis of the labourers acts is provided here encompassing their origin, reception and operation. The poor law system catered predominantly for women, but was administered and staffed predominantly by men. The strength of Irish nationalism lay in its ability to construct a cohesive political community that cut across gender and class boundaries. By redefining criteria for relief, nationalist guardians helped to introduce a greater degree of flexibility into the relief system.

Contents:

1. Poor law system in nineteenth-century Ireland

2. Poor law boards and the advance of Irish nationalism

3. Poor relief and the prosecution of the land campaign

4. Famine echoes : the relief of distress

5. Labourers' cottages : the poor law as an engine of social change

6. Domestic politics : women and poor law administration.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (viewed on April 22, 2026).

ISBN:

1-5261-2961-2

OCLC:

1085600934