Living off the Land
Pasture in Co. Wexford
This is a field that is used for pasture in Co. Wexford. The flat landscape demonstrates the gentler appearance of much of the south compared to the more rugged north and west. This makes it ideal for farming use.
Courtesy of Wexford County Council.Pasture in Co. Wexford
Courtesy of Wexford County Council.
Courtesy of Wexford County Council.
Pasture in Co. Wexford
This is a field that is used for pasture in Co. Wexford. The flat landscape demonstrates the gentler appearance of much of the south compared to the more rugged north and west. This makes it ideal for farming use.
Courtesy of Wexford County Council.The only way for most Wexford people to make a living in the 1800s was by working the land. This reflected the reality throughout Ireland. Much of the land was owned by big landlords, who rented it out to smaller tenants.
A landowner could become wealthy through renting out the land on his estate and selling his tenants' produce. The tenants, on the other hand, often had just enough to survive.
Most tenant farmers had very small plots of land. Any farm of 100 acres or more was considered large. Today, the average size of a farm in Wexford is around 120 acres.
In the 1870s, a movement started throughout Ireland to win more rights for small tenants. It was called the Land League.
As Fraser's observations show, even in the early 1800s, tenants had a lot to be angry about. He writes the following:'Farm houses are built by the tenants and repaired by them. The landlords do nothing to build or keep them in repair.' Furthermore, 'The rents of late have been much increased. Lands that were 25 years ago let for a guinea an acre, are now let for two guineas and fifty shillings.'
Although rents were increasing, landlords were not giving the tenants any better value.
A landowner could become wealthy through renting out the land on his estate and selling his tenants' produce. The tenants, on the other hand, often had just enough to survive.
Most tenant farmers had very small plots of land. Any farm of 100 acres or more was considered large. Today, the average size of a farm in Wexford is around 120 acres.
In the 1870s, a movement started throughout Ireland to win more rights for small tenants. It was called the Land League.
As Fraser's observations show, even in the early 1800s, tenants had a lot to be angry about. He writes the following:'Farm houses are built by the tenants and repaired by them. The landlords do nothing to build or keep them in repair.' Furthermore, 'The rents of late have been much increased. Lands that were 25 years ago let for a guinea an acre, are now let for two guineas and fifty shillings.'
Although rents were increasing, landlords were not giving the tenants any better value.