Kilkee Civic Trust Presents:
West Clare and the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland
by Dr. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh

The summer season of weekly events continues this Wednesday, with the ninth Talk at 8pm, at the Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., Kilkee.
Closing Address for 2018 KCT Summer Season by Michael Houlihan, Chairman, KCT

Under the 1891 Act establishing the Congested Districts Board any district electoral division with an average annual rateable valuation per household of less than 30 shillings was eligible for ‘congested’ status, meaning it was entitled to receive substantial State investment in grants, training, infrastructural improvements and other supports. The Board had a second condition: a minimum of one-fifth of the total population of the county must not exceed the rateable valuation of 30 shillings per household. Unfortunately, Clare, with its mix of small holdings and large ‘ranches’ did not satisfy the Board’s strict criteria. So, although the west of the county had particularly large numbers of landless households living in difficult, congested circumstances, they failed to qualify for the reliefs applied to other counties in the west.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh makes a welcome return as a KCT Speaker to our 2018 Talks series. For family and other reasons, West Clare is very familiar to Críostóir. He is currently Director of the National Folklore Collection at University College Dublin. With a background in folklore and archaeology, he has written widely on different aspects of Irish oral literature, vernacular architecture, traditional boats and fishing, especially so in relation to County Clare.

When: Wednesday 29th of August at 8pm
Where: Cultúrlann Sweeney
Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses
Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey , Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust
Email: