Reference code: IE LA L AH AS
Extent: 1938 - 1949
Scope & Content
This collection consists of a number of General Files (1938-1941) relating to the administration of allotment schemes in Limerick city.
It also includes files relating to cases taken against the Corporation by owners of the land on which allotment schemes operated in Limerick.
Land on which Allotment schemes were in operation included Janesboro, Rathbane, Athlunkard, Farranshone and Corbally.
Subjects
Allotment Schemes
Creator(s)
Limerick City Council
Biographical / Historical Note
Allotments schemes were initially established as a national scheme to assist unemployed persons.
Land for allotments was acquired by borough corporations by entering into agreements with local landowners or by taking the land compulsorily.
The allotments were then let by the Corporation to one or two persons or to a number of persons working under an approved co-operative system or an allotment association.
The rents charged by the Corporation had to meet their expenses but if the plots were let to the unemployed, merely nominal rents were charged, and seeds, manure and other equipment were provided freely.
A Department of Agriculture grant was made to local authorities to recoup the loss of rent when nominal rents were fixed and the cost of providing free seeds, manure, implements was borne by the Exchequer.
From 1940, the Emergency resulted in the Department of Agriculture was anxious that a special effort be made to increase food production throughout the country and that ample facilities for the cultivation of allotments were made available–to both unemployed and employed persons.
Each Local Authority was advised to form a small Committee to promote the scheme, to invite applications for allotments by public notice, and when demand had been ascertained the Local Authority should then select suitable land.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions: N.A.
Use Restrictions: N.A.
Related Materials: Publications: Matthew Potter, The Government and People of Limerick
Collection Content
1. General Files (1938-1941)
- General file relating to Land Allotment Scheme in Limerick. File consists of circulars and correspondence from Department of Agriculture regarding administration of the scheme and payment of grants; returns of allotment holders and summary of accounts for purchasing seeds, spraying material, and farming implements from various merchants; quotations and bills received from various merchants; public posters inviting allotment applications; correspondence between Corporation and allotment holders generally discussing their failure to cultivate their allotment or damage to implements; correspondence regarding damage to allotments caused by horses, cattle or trespassers.
- Extent: c. 150pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File:L/AH/AS/1/1/6. 2 October 1940-4 July 1941
- File relating to compensation claims of Kathleen Moloney and Charles Ebrill against Limerick Corporation for damage to lands leased by them to the Corporation for cultivation under the use as Allotments Acts. Limerick Corporation leased lands at Athlunkard from Kathleen Moloney and lands at Little Summerville from Ebrill. File includes reports and correspondence from Louis DeCourcey (auctioneer, valuer, and live stock salesman) regarding damage caused to the lands and the devaluation of the land, and also reports regarding repair work necessary from C. Stenson (city engineer). Includes correspondence beween J. J Dundon (city solicitor) William Leahy and Son (solicitors for Moloney and Ebrill) and Department of Local Government regarding the paying of compensation. Includes letter from Louis DeCourcey to (agent for Mrs, Moloney) to J.J Dundon stating ‘would you kindly sat what the Corporation proposes to do in regard to getting this field back to normal condition, thee greater portion of the field was not tilled and was allowed to go into dirt and weeds, only a few plots have been properly attended to ..’(5 January 1948).
- Extent: c. 20 Items
- Access Rules: N.A.