GOLDEN GROVE HOUSE and THE IRISH LAND COMMISSION
The Commission pre-dates the newly formed Irish Free State by almost 40 years . . it was set up in 1881 as a FAIR RENT fixing body
and later took responsibility for buying out the historical Landed Estates .. and Landlords . . and appropriation of the lands to new tenants . . on smallerholdings.
Much of this work was done before 1923 . . and was only completed after the newly formed Irish Government took control.
By 1930 . . more than 400,000 holdings had been bought out . . covering an area of 14 million acres.
In an article in the Irish Times dated Feb.28th,1992 . . the then Minister . . Mr Liam Hyland is quoted . .
" In the process . . Landlordism was abolished, and the Lands of Ireland were ,once again, back in the hands of native hands.
Such a transformation in the land tenure system . . could only be described as a major social revolution. "
With the completion of land purchase . . the Commission moved on to the improvement of the physical conditions of many of the small-holdings.
Smal lfarms were for the most part were small and badly fragmented . .with poor drainage. . especially in the West .
The Commission's aim was to bring as many holdings . . as possible . . up to a viable improved standard.
Originally this was regarded as 22 acres . . of good land . . subsequently raised to 33 acres.. . and ,more recently, 45 acres.
The criteria for distribution were ...(1) Acerage already being farmed. . (2) Family circumstances . . (3) distance from acquisition. .
(4) farming ability . . giving energetic small farmers . . a base on which they could build for the future.
The Commission was very successful down through the years . . . and what was started in 1881 by a " Mr.Deacy " . . was finally
finished 100 years later. . by another " Mr.Deacy ". E.M.H.
References
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NUI Galway ..Landed Family and Estates. | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
