A Journal of a Visit of Three Days to Skibbereen, and Its Neighbourhood

Name: A Journal of a Visit of Three Days to Skibbereen, and Its Neighbourhood
Author: Elihu Burritt

By Elihu Burritt

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Biographies History - British History - Modern (1750+)

About This Book

The author records a three-day visit to Skibbereen and nearby districts during the famine, observing extreme destitution, crowded soup-houses and dispensaries, neglected burials, and families weakened by starvation and fever. Detailed sketches of paupers, exhausted parents, and children underscore failures of local relief and the limited impact of government expenditure. The narrative combines eyewitness scenes with an argument that legal reform is needed: secure rights to demand support from landowners, changes to landholding laws, and measures to protect cultivators, presented as necessary to prevent recurrence and ensure humane interment and sustenance for the poor.

About the Author

Elihu Burritt

Elihu Burritt was an American social reformer, diplomat, and writer known for his advocacy of peace and international cooperation. His notable works include "A Journal of a Visit of Three Days to Skibbereen, and Its Neighbourhood," which reflects his observations during a visit to Ireland, and "A Walk from London to John O'Groat's / With Notes by the Way," a travel narrative that captures his experiences across England and Scotland. Burritt's writings often combine travelogue with social commentary, showcasing his deep interest in the cultures and issues of his time.