The "Lady Peel" and the Bishop's Farewell

Portrait of Dr Francis Haly (1783-1855)

Bishop Francis Haly was Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin from 1838-1855. He was a native of Doonane Parish in the Queen's County (Co. Laois) and was educated at Maynooth College, which he entered in 1807. His first appointment as a priest was to the parish of Rathvilly in Co. Carlow. Dr. Haly died on the 19th August, 1855. He is buried beside Dr. James Warren Doyle (J.K.L.) in Carlow Cathedral.

Carlow County Library
Portrait of Dr Francis Haly (1783-1855)
Carlow County Library

Portrait of Dr Francis Haly (1783-1855)

Bishop Francis Haly was Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin from 1838-1855. He was a native of Doonane Parish in the Queen's County (Co. Laois) and was educated at Maynooth College, which he entered in 1807. His first appointment as a priest was to the parish of Rathvilly in Co. Carlow. Dr. Haly died on the 19th August, 1855. He is buried beside Dr. James Warren Doyle (J.K.L.) in Carlow Cathedral.

Carlow County Library
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Lieutenant Henry, the Government Emigration Officer was responsible for selecting suitable emigrants - young female orphans - for Australia. Two thirds of the Guardians were required to give their consent to the emigration process.

On Wednesday March 7th, 1849 a party of twenty-two young orphan girls from Carlow Workhouse set out on the long journey to Australia. The Workhouse Matron took charge of them because of their young age. She accompanied them as far as Dublin, where they embarked for Plymouth on the first leg of their voyage.

Dr. Haly, the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin was also travelling by train to Dublin early that March day. He was surprised to see so many young girls from the Workhouse at the railway station

Railway station, Carlow 1

Carlow Railway Station was built in 1845 and was designed by Sir John MacNeill. It is located in Carlow Town, on the Dublin – Waterford line. The Station is an example of Jacobean Revival architecture. It comprises a two storey central block and two single storey wings. There are two platforms, a signal box and footbridge and the station also has offices and waiting areas. It is built of yellow brick with granite features particularly in the window dressings and drip moulds.

Carlow County Library

 

Railway station, Carlow 1

Carlow Railway Station was built in 1845 and was designed by Sir John MacNeill. It is located in Carlow Town, on the Dublin – Waterford line. The Station is an example of Jacobean Revival architecture. It comprises a two storey central block and two single storey wings. There are two platforms, a signal box and footbridge and the station also has offices and waiting areas. It is built of yellow brick with granite features particularly in the window dressings and drip moulds.

Carlow County Library

 

Railway station, Carlow 1

Carlow Railway Station was built in 1845 and was designed by Sir John MacNeill. It is located in Carlow Town, on the Dublin – Waterford line. The Station is an example of Jacobean Revival architecture. It comprises a two storey central block and two single storey wings. There are two platforms, a signal box and footbridge and the station also has offices and waiting areas. It is built of yellow brick with granite features particularly in the window dressings and drip moulds.

Carlow County Library

  and he greeted them warmly. He was anxious for both their spiritual and general welfare. He was moved by their "exemplary conduct" and reassured by their "healthy appearance and cheerful disposition". He addressed them briefly, wishing them well in their new life in Australia. He also added that they should be "deeply grateful" to the Guardians for their care and attention. According to the press the scene was both "solemn and imposing and left an edifying impression on all those present". The fear and anxiety of the young orphans was that day probably secondary to the importance of Victorian duty and propriety.

Minute Book Carlow Poor Law Union, December 1849

Entry from the Carlow Poor Law Guardian Minute Books, 1849 showing a reference to a letter from the Poor Law Commissioners dated 13th December 1849. It referred to a communication received by the Commissioners from the Immigration Agent at Sydney regarding the female orphans who had arrived there safely on the Lady Peel on July 3rd 1849.

Carlow County Library
Minute Book Carlow Poor Law Union, December 1849
Carlow County Library

Minute Book Carlow Poor Law Union, December 1849

Entry from the Carlow Poor Law Guardian Minute Books, 1849 showing a reference to a letter from the Poor Law Commissioners dated 13th December 1849. It referred to a communication received by the Commissioners from the Immigration Agent at Sydney regarding the female orphans who had arrived there safely on the Lady Peel on July 3rd 1849.

Carlow County Library
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The Board of Guardians was satisfied that they had discharged their duty faithfully to the young emigrants. On arrival in Plymouth they were taken charge of by Lieutenant Henry, the Government Emigration Officer.

Later that year, on October 13th, 1849 the Poor Law Commissioners wrote to the Carlow Board of Guardians. They enclosed in their letter, an extract, which they had received from the Emigration Commissioners. This cited a communication from the Government Immigration Agent at Sydney. The "Lady Peel" had arrived at its destination on July 3rd. Among those who disembarked there were the twenty-two orphans from Carlow Union.


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