Bridwells of East Galway 1828-1844 by Ronan Killeen

Since 2011, I have a  strong interest in criminality and law and order in Ireland for many years. In 2011 I completed his thesis on three cases of capital punishment in Galway, 1885-1923. This publication was orignally published by the South East Galway Archaeological and Historical Society where I have also written  about Law and Order in 19th Century Galway in our South East Galway Archaeological and Historical Society Summer 2016 issue, here I focus on the

‘Bridewells of East Galway’.

  As previously referenced, during the 18th century each county had its own prison located in the chief town of that county. The law also stated that every county would have a house of correction called a ‘bridewell’; where drunkards, petty thieves, rioters and vagrants were held before their trail albeit this could extend to years in exceptional circumstances. Lunatics were also sometimes kept in bridewells. 

 Notwithstanding the ‘Age of Enlightenment’, a period where many intellectuals believed that men were perfectible, the common view remained that those in the jail were wicked and deserved their punishment. The reformer, John Howard, was not one of those. As part of the reforms of the era, Inspectors were to visit prisons at least once a week and forward reports to the officer who was to be the apex of the system. All reports are referring to the bridewells in East Galway between the years 1828 to 1844 are now available.

 1828 Reports

 Gort: This prison is regularly kept. It contains only two small cells for males, and one room at the top of the house for females, with keeper’s rooms. It is not, consequently, what the law specifies as necessary for a sessions town bridewell. It is however kept clean, the poor prisoners are fed, and the keeper is a correct officer. The prisoners are frequently kept many days here without any written authority except for the first three days.

 Woodford: This is a clean neat little establishment, attended to by the keep in every respect. Very few prisoners are confined here, and I am unwilling to call upon the county to enlarge it. The yard should be divided; but the river runs so near to the prison that it is not necessary to sink a pump at present.

 Loughrea: This old prison remains in the same miserable state in which it has always been reported, and indeed now scarcely weather proof. The allowances to prisoners are however supplied, and the duties of local inspector effectually executed by the officiating clergyman. A presentment was made at the last assizes for erecting a new and sufficient bridewell for this populous town, and the site has been approved by the Inspector General.

 Tuam: This bridewell is devoid of all legal accommodation, but the grand jury have presented money at the last assizes to erect a new one. I waited upon the Archbishop of Tuam at my inspection.

1838 Reports

 Ballinasloe: This prison is quite unfit for use; and if a new prison should not be built, it would be quite inconsistent with the law to lodge prisoners in it.

 Loughrea: This is a sufficiently commodious bridewell; and every accommodation and allowance prescribed by law is afforded to the inmates; who are numerous.

 Woodford: This prison contains but two rooms for prisoners. There had been but an average of about 20 names in each quarterly return of committals; but from the imprisonment of drunkards, the number in the last return was 58, and an addition will become necessary.

 Gort: The presentment for a new bridewell at Gort having been made under a wrong Act of Parliament, it will be necessary to commence de novo under the provisions of the Prison Act. In consequence of this delay, some repairs have been ordered, which might otherwise have been inexpedient.

 Tuam: I found this prison in very good order; it contains sufficient accommodation, and is conformable to law. 

 Eyre Court: This prison contains the accommodation required by law, and is kept with regularity.


1839 Reports

 Ballinasloe: ‘We have for many years reported the illegal accommodation of this prison. There are but two small rooms and one yard. I found, on my inspection, the Males and Females together. The old and infirm Keeper is nearly bedridden, and the Prison is unsafe. It should be abolished as a place of confinement.

 Woodford: There are only two cells and one yard to this Prison. It is too small, and otherwise illegal, and an addition is intended. The plan will be laid before the Grand Jury at Spring Assizes, and we strongly recommend its adoption. The keeper is an old man, but attentive to his duty.
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The Inspector General’s  report on The Prison’s of Ireland 1839 incorporates the Loughrea, Eyrecourt, and Tuam Bridewells all under one heading 

Gort
As a new and legal Bridwell is building in this Sessions town, it is unnessary to remark on the old
and inneffecient place of  confinement. The Keeper is a steady and attentive Officer.

 
Loughrea, Eyrecourt, and Tuam Bridewell’s 1839 (are all incorporated as one inspection)
  These three small prisons for temporary confinement previous to removal to the County Gaol, are all new, and contain 2 day rooms; 2 yards; and 7 cells each, with keeper's apartments. They are correctly attended to by the Keepers, the registries carefully kept, and the pauper Prisoners are fed. A supply of a few pairs of blankets are required in each; and the roof of Tuam Bridewell requires repair.


1842:  

Loughrea "This bridewell was cleanly and kept in very good order. It required whitewashing and I suggested changes in ventilation. The mixed diet are used, at a daily cost of 4d.exclusive of fuel expense. The registry and accounts were accurately kept. This bridewell is scarcely ever without a prisoner. The local inspector visits this as well as other bridewells and the practise is attended with very good results (quite a change from 1828 report).

1844 report 

 In this Inspector General’s report of The Prisons of Ireland 1844 all the Bridewell’s of Ballinasloe, Eyrecourt, Gort, Tuam, Loughrea, Woodford, Oughterard, and Clifden are now all incorporated.
 
He writes ‘I inspected these bridewell’s, and found they were all in a very creditable state of order and repair, which is to be attributed to the great care and attention which is paid by the Local Inspector, Rev. Mr. D’Arcy, to this department. He makes periodical inspections, and reports regularly to the Board of superintendence.

In fact, the system which has been established by the prison authorities in this county, is so admirable with respect to the general superintendence and surveillance of these minor prisons, that is worthy of adoption in other counties.

Woodford and Eyrecourt bridewell’s are under extensive alterations, and I have no doubt they will be made very efficient establishments. These two latter buildings were about to be abolished altogether, but it appears that they could not be dispensed with, being situated in extensive and populous districts.

All accounts have been taken from the Prison’s of Ireland Reports of the Inspector General on the General State of The Prisons of  Ireland in the years of 1828; 1838; 1839; 1842 and 1844.