(short article) East Galway and the Domestic Service: Athenry by Ronan Killeen

First of all what is a domestic servant? A servant employed in a grand or middle class household. It is interesting to see the social history aspect of this occupation. In Dolan's work on Athenry 200 the 1821 Census he reports that htere was a Mary O'Conor from Cross street, Athenry who was 10 years old house servant (Dolan, p10). 

During the 19th century there would be a lot of young people under the age of 16 that were employed in households. Servants were also in Athenry House (which is located at the Back Lawn/behind the G. A. A. pitch.

In the early 19th century which included nine district central streets in Athenry Back street  7 house servants. Moanbawn Lane 3 house servants ; Northgate Street - 5 house servants, Allens Lane (Now Davis street see Qualter ); McDonalds Lane - None; Court Lane - none; Abbey Lane (now known as Bridge Steet see Qualter p) ; Cross street 19 house servants, Barrack Street Lane - none (see Dolan p11) 

Sources: Athenry 200 the 1821 Census by Steve Dolan
               Athenry History and Folklore by Aggie Qualter