Election of Guardians

Nicholls Poor Laws Ireland

This text from Poor Laws Ireland Three Reports by George Nicholls outlines his reasons for the exclusion of the clergy from the office of Poor Law Guardian in Ireland. The report was printed by W.Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street, for Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1838.

Carlow County Library

Nicholls Poor Laws Ireland
Carlow County Library

Nicholls Poor Laws Ireland

This text from Poor Laws Ireland Three Reports by George Nicholls outlines his reasons for the exclusion of the clergy from the office of Poor Law Guardian in Ireland. The report was printed by W.Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street, for Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1838.

Carlow County Library

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Ireland was divided into 130 Unions and over 2,000 Electoral Divisions.

The Board of Guardians in each Union was made up of two types of members - Ex-officio Guardians and Elected Guardians.

Ex-officio Guardians were chosen from among magistrates themselves. Other Guardians were elected by the people on the electoral roll.

Elected Guardians and Ex-officio Guardians served in a proportion of three to one. Women were excluded from office, as were the clergy.