The Land Question – text by Paul Croghan
Duke and Agent tried unsuccessfully to influence land Policy
• In 1866, Charles William Hamilton, the land agent, for the Leinster Estate wrote another pamphlet called “Contracts between Landlord and Tenants in Ireland” where he urges that Government not interfere in the terms of these contracts. (Courtesy National Library of Ireland).
• The 1870 Land Act began the process of land transitioning back to farmers, through financial supports from the Government and the terms permitted in leases.
• The interference in contract between landlord and tenant was not welcomed by the land owners such as the Duke of Leinster.
• The Duke felt obliged to introduce a lease with terms to protect his interests relating to works done on his lands. It became known as “The Leinster Lease”.
• Tenants were not keen to sign the lease including the Trustees of St. Patrick’s College who refused to sign, as they wanted to lead by example to other farmers.
• They were evicted from the lands at Laraghbryan. Not many other evictions noted.
• Other large farmers in the area probably signed as they felt obliged to do soThey weren’t successful in influencing the English Government Policy on land transfer.
• Perhaps a legacy of the Duke providing leases for larger holdings had an impact when these farms were subsequently transferred to Irish owners. As many farms in Maynooth are larger entities.
• While land within the Carton Estate walls stayed pretty much as one farm, the majority of the Leinster Estate was dismantled under the provisions of the 1903 Land Act.
• In Maynooth, we also had a number of farms that were transferred to families who were re-settled from other parts of Ireland to Maynooth.
• The transfer of land was formalised when The Land Commission was set up under 1881 legislation.