3-052-439 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The State of Ireland: sketches in Galway, 1880. 'A pipe of peace; A family suite; the general state of affairs; the Fish Market, Galway...Our Special Artist, who has lately visited the distressed parts of the country, furnishes some characteristic sketches of the general appearance of the rustic people about Galway, including some disconsolate groups outside the door of the offices where the local relief committee is deliberating upon the grants it can afford to bestow on many poor applicants for public bounty. A scene in the Fishmarket at Galway, which he has also sketched, is rather lively and busy, with a good deal of female eloquence, if we could hear it, seemingly poured out in mutual objurgations by the sturdy dames of that Celtic Billingsgate. These are not, like too many of their countrywomen of the agricultural class, just now in a condition of extreme poverty and destitution...The general condition of the country exhibits symptoms of decided improvement, though there are some very sad exceptions, and severe distress is felt in many places'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.