Churches
Contention between the local clergymen caused by the evangelical missionaries may have prevented co operation in Famine relief.
When Fr Hughes was involved in relief work during the localised famines of the thirties, he was the chairman of a relief committee consisting of three Catholics and three Protestants. He had appealed for funding through the local and national press (de Tocqueville, 2012). Rev. Stoney organised relief funding from England. Later, this English funding added to the contention between the two clergymen. In The Freeman's Journal (13/01/1837), Fr. Hughes accused Rev Stoney of issuing summonses to aid recipients for the return of the money. Even when both Stoney and Hughes were moved to other parishes, while the worst of the publicly aired acrimony ceased, the cooperation between clergymen in Famine relief in Newport does not seem to have resumed. |
Local Catholic priests administered funds received by John Mac Hale. The Telegraph (26/06/1846) reports that Fr. Cannon, the replacement Catholic parish priest in Newport, worked with Sir Richard O'Donel issuing tickets for employment on the Public Works schemes to five hundred of the most needy in the parish.
Rev Gildea, the new Protestant rector, received help from the Quakers in setting up a linen industry in Newport. According to Nicholson (1851), he 'had a fine establishment' making tablecloths and sheeting, employing up to five hundred women. She was afraid the manufactory would shut, as cheaper cloth, though not of as good quality, could be produced by the bigger mills. Rev Gildea also helped to support the local medical dispensary (Mullowney, 2002). Click HERE for Information on Independent Relief |