Thursday, 2 October 2014

NAI adds Leitrim, Mayo & Sligo Compensation claims

More listings of the Post-Truce Finance Compensation collection have been added to the National Archives of Ireland's online catalogue. This latest update covers counties Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo. They join the listings for counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Longford and Louth.

This collection of about 20,000 files relates to claims for compensation for loss/damage to property occuring from military action between July 1921 and March 1923. Claims were made under the Damage to Property (Compensation) Act, 1923 and record the name and address of the claimant, the amount paid out in compensation and a brief narrative of the military action or incident that resulted in the damage/loss. They also provide an inventory of the loss.

This latest update (the third since May) brings the total number of files listed to 6,578. The catalogue does not include images of the files; researchers can access the original files in the NAI Reading Room in Bishop Street, Dublin.

You can find out more about this collection, and access the county listings, here.

And here are a few examples of the claims contained in the latest update:
  • Anthony O'Grady, Kildun, The Neale, County Mayo: Seizure of bicycle at Cross, County Mayo, by unknown persons on 26 October 1922.
  • Henry T Gallagher, managing director of Urney Chocolates, Urney, County Tyrone: Chocolates taken during a raid on train at Leyney, County Sligo, by armed men on 10 April 1922.
  • William O'Reilly, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim: Windows and household effects damaged at same address due to mine explosion during an attack on National Army forces by Irregular forces on 10 July 1922.
  • George O'Connor, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim: Boat commandeered at same address by National Army forces in July 1922.
  • Michael Conway, Balla, County Mayo: Commandeering of whiskey, cigarettes and goods at same address by Irregular forces on 11 January 1923.