Background to the Distress Papers
The Great Famine (1845-1852) had a devastating impact on Ireland. During this time, government agencies such as the Chief Secretary’s Office, the Poor Law Commission and the Relief Commission were tasked with managing the crisis and providing relief to the Irish population.
From 1846 onwards, these agencies were inundated with letters, reports and petitions from famine-stricken areas pleading for aid.
The authorities in Dublin Castle named these documents “the Distress Papers.” The Relief Commission created a similar collection to record their efforts in alleviating the effects of the famine.
The Distress Papers include:
- Reports on community distress nationwide
- Letters about establishing local relief committees
- Applications for funds under famine relief legislation
- Correspondence from the Relief Commission and Office of Public Works regarding project funding
By examining the Distress Papers, researchers can gain insights into the government’s response to the famine, the challenges faced by relief agencies and the broader impact of the crisis on Irish society.
Accessing the Distress Papers
The Distress Papers are indexed in four volumes:
- CSO CR 70: Index to Distress Papers, Volume 1 (March–May 1846)
- CSO CR 71: Index to Distress Papers, Volume 2 (May–Nov 1846)
- CSO CR 77: Index to Distress Papers, Volume 1 (Nov 1846–Sep 1847, A–O)
- CSO CR 78: Index to Distress Papers, Volume 2 (Nov 1846–Sep 1847, P–X)
Each volume is organised alphabetically according to correspondent surname and further indexed by area or region and subject matter, with a county index at the back.
To access these records, plan a visit to the Reading Room and carry out the following steps:
- Check the alphabetical index for the correspondent’s name
- Use the reference number with the “D” prefix to order the record
- If the correspondent’s name is unknown, check the geographical subsections for the associated place name
The Relief Commission
Established in 1845, the Relief Commission was a government agency tasked with administering famine relief efforts. The Commission oversaw the distribution of food supplies, coordinated with local committees and gathered information from county officials.
Initially formed in 1845, the Commission was reorganised in January 1846. It was disbanded in August 1846 but was subsequently reconstituted in February 1847 under the Temporary Relief Act.
The Relief Commission collected a range of documents, including:
- Letters
- Constabulary returns
- Reports from county inspecting officers
- Replies to circulars
Accessing the Relief Commission documents
To access the Relief Commission documents, search the online catalogue using the reference RLFC/2. This collection consists of 788 entries, organised chronologically. Some personal and place names may be unclear or unidentified and are indicated by square brackets. County names are listed as they appeared at the time of writing.
Hardcopy lists are available in the Reading Room and are referenced as RLFC/1, 3-7.