Saturday 1st
Putting a wire stay to the holly that was blown down and topping others. Inspecting farming work. After luncheon topping hollies and walking over the farm and mending slates on the roof of the house. Played whist after dinner. Jupiter and Venus close together.

Sunday 2nd
Walked to church, Flo and servants drove. I seedy [feeling sick].

Monday 3rd
Snowing. Took medicine and was unwell all the forenoon. Morris [a Tullamore butcher] the butcher came and bought 3 bullocks at £19 a piece, well sold. After Luncheon attended cutting ash along hedge in Limekiln field. Flo [Florence, his wife] came out to me and we walked in Lambs screen. I afterwards snagged ash. Very sleepy in evening.

Tuesday 4th
Snagging ash trees at north hedge in Limekiln field all day. Waller [a brother of Maxwell Fox] laid up indoors with a bad eye. In afternoon snagging ash. Played whist after dinner.

Wednesday 5th
Armstrong went to Dublin. Writing letters and snagging ash in Lime kiln field. Flo and Waller went in Brougham to Clara Hill. After luncheon snagging and cutting ash. F and W returned at 4. After dinner played whist.

Thursday 6th
Heard from Marian of poor Aunt Henrietta Fox's death. 71 years of age. Waller went to see Ridley in Brougham [the Tullamore doctor]. I walked with Flo and wrote letters. After luncheon walked with Flo and X (cross) cut ash with Bergin. W returned at 4.30. After dinner Armstrong returned from Dublin. Talked over plans for tomorrow. A lovely Spring day.

Friday 7th
Preparing for a start to Dublin and London, was served with a severe bilious attack and nearly fainted several times half an hour before luncheon. Put off going to-day, went up to our room and lay on the sofa until bedtime at 10. Very seedy all day long, better before evening but very weak.

Saturday 8th
Better this morning. W. left for London to attend Aunt H's funeral. Dr. Ridley came and saw me and put me on a regular diet, chops bread and cold grog. Walked about with Flo, a lovely day (cold N.E. wind). Wrote letters. Connolly and a vet came to see W's colt. He wasn't sound, so wasn't bought. After lunch walked again with Flo. After dinner I read out "Bakers Abyssinia", a charming book.

Sunday 9th
Flo and maids drove to church. I too seedy to go.
Monday 10th Wrote letters and walked about farm too seedy to work. Walked about with Flo. After luncheon in garden talking and arranging with gardener. After dinner Flo read out "Baker Abyssinia". I made spills.

Tuesday 11th
Walking about in garden . Luncheon at 1.15 then drove in Brougham with Flo and Meades to Tullamore visited Mrs. Ridley and then to station; saw Flo and Meades off by 3.20 train and returned home. Ruby [the horse] a little frightened at the train, pulled a good deal. After dinner looking over farm accounts with Dick.

Wednesday 12th
Rather seedy. Walking about gardens and farm. Writing letters. After Luncheon x cutting firewood with Bergin. Walked down avenue to look at screen opposite gate. Flo, Waller and Meade arrived at 8.5 in good health from Dublin.

Thursday 13th
Drove in with Waller to Tullamore on business. Returned for luncheon calling at Lynally. X [cross] cutting with Bergin.

Friday 14th
Drove to Tullamore on Sheriff's business and returned to luncheon. X (cross)cutting with Bergin after luncheon. Dining room chimney caught fire, employed putting it out.

Saturday 15th
Setting up wire fence round waste place at corner of garden. Wrote letters. After luncheon finishing half the wire paling. After dinner played whist.

Sunday 16th
Flo and maids drove in Brougham to Church, I walked. W. returned from Clara Hill with Charlotte at 5.

Monday 17th
Eaton came to train Ruby and rode her a little - sweeps sweeping chimneys - Charlotte, Florence W, I and Tanham laying out beds opposite to drawing room window. After luncheon walked with C, F and W to Lambs and back by lane to see the twin lambs. Tea, then went on with the beds. After dinner played whist, Flo had a touch of Neuralgia.

Tuesday 18th
Gardener finishing the beds before drawing room window. Flo all right again. Max Coote came to luncheon and took Charlotte's horse [sister and brother-in-law of Maxwell Fox]. X(cross) cutting with Bergin. Read Baker after dinner.

Wednesday 19th
Went to Dublin by morning train arranged about horses for assizes [high court or circuit court at Tullamore]. Tea, shopped. Met Charles Fox at club, looking very well, just come from England. Called at Mr. Andersons about money lent to Richard Fox, then to train. Home at 8 to dinner, rather tired and sleepy.

Thursday 20th
Dick went to see a ploughing match at Mr. Tarletons (Newtown), a very bad blowy and rainy day. Wrote letters. After luncheon inspecting farm work and talking to gardener about greenhouse gutter. Tea. After dinner read the Tallisman [a Walter Scott novel] and played whist.

Friday 21st
Working in workshop at a nut and screw. Writing letters and setting up wire paling at back of garden corner. After luncheon Flo drove on car to the Glebe and Rathrobbin, Mr. Biddulph worse. I setting up wire paling, Flo had a slight touch of neuralgia. Played whist after dinner, Waller had a bad cold. [F.W.M. Biddulph died in March 1868 and is buried at Ballyboy, which is probably the church referred to in this diary and not Blacklion as I suggested earlier}.

Saturday 22nd
Writing letters etc, and setting up wire paling as yesterday. After luncheon the same until 6 o'clock. A windy day, a cold evening. Played whist after dinner.

Sunday 23rd
Drove Flo and maids to church. Mrs. Thomason there for 1st time.

Monday 24th
Drove with Waller to Roscore on car with Ruby who was very fresh and shied a good deal. Visited Cummins and talked business, then walked to woods and marked trees in several beats (Patsey assisting) returned by 6 o'clock. Played whist after dinner.

Tuesday 25th (Shrove Tuesday)
Drove to Tullamore to arrange matters with my Sub-Sheriff. Home to luncheon, after which drove with Flo to Gortnamona to call on the Thomason's and returned home. Played whist after dinner, Flo had a little neuralgia. [This must have ben the O'Connor Morris house probably rented to Thomasons.]

Wednesday 26th (Ash Wednesday)
Flo and maids drove to church, Waller and I walked he left me at the church and went on to Roscore to remain there at Rigneys for 3 days. Rather a long service, communion. Home a little before 2. Dined at 2.15, tea at 7. Flo read out "Baker's Abyssinia" while I fitted my boats sails.

Thursday 27th
A fine day. At work with gardener putting up wire paling behind garden and writing letters. After dinner (at 2) at wire paling and walking about farm. After tea Flo read Baker while I fitted my sails.

Friday 28th
A wet day, couldn't do much out of doors, at work in workshop putting xtra wire into small wicket gate behind garden. After dinner raking up chips, and covering beech stumps of trees cut in avenue east side. After tea, Flo read Baker, I worked at the sails, "evening as yesterday".

Saturday 29th
Heavy showers during forenoon, after luncheon sent car to Roscore for Waller. I covering stumps of beech trees with scraws. After dinner played whist.

Sunday 1st
I drove maids to church, Flo a slight touch of neuralgia.

Monday 2nd
Walked to Blue Ball dispensary. Flo and Waller drove to Clara Hill at 11.30. I returned at 1.30. After luncheon cutting and pruning hedge along lane (from yard to Lambs). After dinner very tired and sleepy.

Tuesday 3rd
Drove to Lynally in Broughaun, picked up Alfred Bury and drove to Court House. Attended swearing in of Grand Jury, dined with them at 6.15, my health was drank, returned thanks fairly. Home at 10.45. Only 23 Jurors answered to their names.

Wednesday 4th
Drove to Tullamore on car at 3.45, found carriage all ready so went with Sub-Sheriff in Clarence to meet Chief Justice Monaghan at Clara Station. Brought him and Lifroy back to their lodgings in Tullamore, then drove home to luncheon after which cutting hedge along [Back lane to Lambs.] Played whist after dinner.

Thursday 5th
Went in brougham to Tullamore - at 8.35 attended at Station and received Chief Justice (Whiteside) drove him to his lodgings attended by mounted police. At 11.15 attended both judges to Court House in Clarence and pair. In Court with Chief Justice until 4. Visited G. Jury luncheon and had some , - Dined with judges and met Curran, Molloy, Dames and Montgomery. Home at 11. [Fox is alluding here to the visit of the Chief Justice for the Spring Assizes (nowadays the High Court in Circuit). The great Civil Criminal Trial ( including Murder) were dealt with at these assizes and in addition the Grand Jury voted money, or Presentiments as it was called, for the turning of local government of the county and the making of improvements especially to the county's roads. The Chief Justice of the Queen's bench in 1868 was James Whiteside. He defended O'Connell in the State Trials of 1844 and Smith O'Brien in 1848. He was appointed Solicitor Terence in 1852 and later Attorney Terence. He was appointed Chief Justice if the Queen's Bench in 1866 and died in 1876. Curran, Molloy and others were the Senoir Barristers on the circuit. Constantine Molloy was born in Tullamore and lived for a time in what is now the offices of Conway & Kearney Solicitors.]

Friday 6th
Preparing to receive the judges. At 2 they arrived in the Clarence and luncheon'd here and a very good one they had and fully appreciated it. Then they walked about the place, and left for Tullamore at 4.45. - Florence , Waller and I dined at Lynally and met A. Bury there. Ralph Coote looking very much broken down, but cheerful. Home at 11.[ Florence, the wife of Maxwell Fox and Waller his brother, who lived with him at Annaghmore. Ralph Coote was of Killoughey and lived at Brookefield House, now the present Golf Club. Alfred Bury was guardian to the

Saturday 7th
Drove in at 6.30 to see the judges safe in the train, they were very civil sending messages to Flo to thank for hospitality. Returned to breakfast. A nasty wet day. After luncheon Alfred Bury arrived on horseback, smoked and chatted with him. Inspected Sadleir's men cutting beech in avenue.[ Presumably from Mullagh House.]

Sunday 8th
A bitter day, fine overhead. W and I walked to church and attended communion.

Monday 9th
A. Bury and Waller rode to Clara Hill, I x [cross] cut beech in Doyle's wood with Bergin. Ewes lambing very fast and mostly twins. 50 up to today from 34 ewes. After luncheon x [cross] cutting as in forenoon, felled another beech and x[cross] cut it also.

Tuesday 10th
Drove with A. Bury to Tullamore, transacted business with Mr. Whelan [a Solicitor and Sub Sheriff] - returned by Lynally (to see Ralph Coote ) home by 4. After dinner chatted, smoked and bed.

Wednesday 11th
Doing various odd jobs and walking about farm and garden. Split some beech for firing. A. B. rode to Charleville. After luncheon Dr. O'Malley came to see Meades. Mr. Tomasson called about pew in church. A. Bury returned on a hack car. Splitting wood. After dinner chatted and smoked and bed.

Thursday 12th
A nasty disagreeable day, Alfred would not stir out. I cross cut fire wood with Bergin and did various jobs. After luncheon cutting with Bergin in shrubbery. After dinner chatted and smoked with Bury.

Friday 13th
Alfred Bury left at 12 on hack car, Waller left for Clara Hill after luncheon at 3. Flo had a bad headache and retired to her room upstairs. I cut timber with Bergin in shrubbery at north side of garden. Flo better after dinner, chatted with her all the evening.

Saturday 14th
Flo still with a bad headache, cutting with Bergin in the shrubbery at north side of garden wall. I, Doyle and gardener paling round potato ground at east side of garden, dined at 2. After dinner cutting till 6. Flo no better. Chatted and read to her after tea.

Sunday 15th
Drove to church with Mrs. Cox. Flo much better.

Monday 16th
Cutting with Bergin (N side of garden in shrubbery). Waller arrived at 5 o'clock. Went to sleep being tired and headachy after dinner.

Tuesday 17th
Mending an earring for Flo all the forenoon. After luncheon walked down avenue and about farm until dinner. Played whist after dinner, Flo sang and played.

Wednesday 18th
Cutting with Waller and Bergin in shrubbery (N side of garden ) all day. After luncheon Flo drove to see Ralph Coote at Lynally. After dinner - very sleepy.

Thursday 19th
Cutting in Shrubbery N side of garden in forenoon with Waller and Bergin. After luncheon drove on car with Flo to Clara Hill, found Charlotte and Maxwell Coote [a sister and brother in law of Maxwell Fox] at home,chatted and inspected the building of additional rooms in yard. Home by 6. after dinner played whist.

Friday 20th
No entry.

Saturday 21st
Cutting as yesterday, all day. Ralph Coote paid us a visit after luncheon he looked stronger and better. After dinner played whist and wrote letters and did accounts and chatted.

Sunday 22nd
Raining from 9 till 5.30 pm. Read service at 12.

Monday 23rd
Drove to Frankford on car took hack car to Birr (a nasty drive, hail and rain alternately) attended meeting for the purpose of making arrangements for erection of monument to Lord Rosse. Bernard in the chair, I in 2nd chair. Subscription up to £600. Luncheon with young Garvey. Home by 6.15 to dinner. Whist in the evening. [ This was a meeting of the Offaly Gentry held for the purpose of raising a subscription fund for the erection of a monument to the third Earl of Rosse. The monument by Foley to the astonomer Earl was unveiled in 1876. Bernard was of Kinnitty Castle and young Garvey is presumably the son of Lord Rosse's agent.]

Tuesday 24th
Cutting timber in forenoon. After luncheon drove to Lynally called for Charlotte took her to Charleville. I and Flo ordered a variety of plants from Roberts and we returned home leaving Charlotte at Lynally gate. After dinner whist, tea.

Wednesday 25th
Holiday, nothing going on. Tanham went to Charleville for plants. Tea. A wettish day. Wrote letters, read papers. Tea. Sent Mike Russell away on account of impertinence. Tea.

Thursday 26th
Cutting hedge along lane before breakfast. Writing letters and pruning hollies, tea, in forenoon. After luncheon Charlotte and Maxwell Coote arrived walked about garden with them. Trench and Mr Birch came and took me as far as the X roads (Killurin) to settle about a school house. Fitting sail after dinner.

Friday 27th
Drove to Roscore at 11.15 Flo and Waller accompanying me. Marking fir trees for timber merchant until 4, had luncheon in the young woods where we were marking. Flo read her book (Marmion). Home by 6. Flo had slight touch of Neuralgia. A lovely warm day. After dinner, working at sail.

Saturday 28th
Arranging the scouring of drains and walking about farm from 11 till 5 with Mr. Milley (LD. Digby's steward). Flo and Waller drove on car by Gurteen bridge to Clara Hill and returned by 6.15, they left after luncheon. Working at sails after dinner.

Sunday 29th
Drove Flo and maids to church, walked back with W.

Monday 30th
Yesterday discovered a chalybeate spring at bottom of Lough moor. In afternoon burning fox covert. Flo fell into the stream at bottom of Lough moor and got a ducking. Featherstone called.[ The Governor of the Tullamore Jail.]

Tuesday 31st
Cutting and finishing hedge in lane leading to Lambs. Walked about with Flo.

Wednesday 1st
Raking and wheeling chips and twigs in lawn to be burnt. Drove in Broughaun to Rathrobbin to attend Mr. Biddulph's funeral. Met Peirce, Ridleys , Tarletons. Tea. Mr. Tarleton of Newtown came with me to Ballyboy. After the funeral returned home at 4.30. Flo [Florence] and I burning stumps. After dinner fitting sail. Flo read out (Maguire on Irish America). [ Biddulph of Rathrobin, died in 1868 and is buried in Ballyboy, Church of Ireland Cemetery. Now after 130 years the tombstone is still standing but the covering slab has been interfered and the remains of the coffin can be seen. The Cemetery is in reasonable order but the windows have been filled with modern blocks in an unsightly manner but consistent with making the building safe and thereby allowing it to remain - a historic piece on the Ballyboy landscape.]

Thursday 2nd
Walking about garden. Tea with Flo and burning beech stumps in Phadricks hollow. Wrote a few letters. Dined at 2. After dinner burning stumps with Flo in middle clump. Played guitar to Flo.

Friday 3rd
Raking up chips in avenue. Burning stumps with Florence in Phadrick hollow. After luncheon raking chips, tea and burning stumps, Mr. and Mrs. Tomasson , Featherston and Low came to dinner.

Saturday 4th
Burning stumps all the forenoon. After luncheon raking up and putting avenue to rights. Marian arrived at 8. Flo with a bad headache. After dinner, chatted till bed time. I very
sleepy. Marian looked very young.

Sunday 5th
Walked to church. Flo and maids drove, Marian did not go.

Monday 6th
6.50 a.m. Waller and Jimmy left on hack car for Dublin. Drove on car to Blue Ball attended dispensary. Reelected officers for ensuing year and returned. After luncheon Max and Charlotte [his sister and brother-in-law] came, walked about with them, they left at 5.30. Lambs dying of wool braxy.

Tuesday 7th
Drove with Marian on car with "Ruby" to Lynally left her there and went on to Tullamore transacted business at the bank and returned to luncheon at Lynally and home by 5. Saw beech leaves for 1st time this year.

Wednesday 8th
Marian and Flo went in Brougham to Clara Hill. Waller and I cutting and pruning in wood opposite to Tanhams gate. Brougham returned at 6. Flo had headache and went to bed.

Thursday 9th
Lost another lamb last night. Went to Tullamore being summoned by Sub Sheriff [Whelan] to attend the Barrister and ask about presenting gloves, returned by 12. Wrote letters after luncheon. Walked with Marian and thinned and pruned in wood opposite Tanhams gate. Flo with a bad headache. Played whist in evening. [ This presenting of white gloves to the Judges was a sign that things were peaceful in the county and that there was no criminal business to attend to. The Barrister was that appointed for quarter sessions - nowadays the Circuit Court.]

Friday 10th (Good Friday)
Marian drove to church W and I walked. After luncheon walked about with Marian, tea.

Saturday 11th
Marian and Flo drove to Clara Hill in brougham.

Sunday 12th (Easter Sunday)
Marian and Flo and I drove to church, W. walked. We all attended Holy Communion.

Monday 13th
Drove at 6 a.m. to Frankford [Kilcormac] in brougham then on hack car to Birr, attended Quarter sessions and presented the barrister with a pair of gloves there being no cases for trial. Visited Parsons and returned home by luncheon. Flo preparing for a journey to Clifton, sat up in our room late chatting.

Tuesday 14th
Drove in brougham to Tullamore with Flo and Meades, saw them off by 7.50 train for Dublin and Clifton and returned home to breakfast. In afternoon walked about with Waller. [Brother of Maxwell Fox.]

Wednesday 15th
Walked with Waller after b'fast to Brittas saw the General C & D Dunne, inspected the premises, garden, lawn, tea and also C.D. boat, had luncheon and returned home. Preparing for Punchestown races. [Brittas, near Clonaslee was the home of General Dunne until his death in 1874 when he was succeeded by his brother Edward Meadows Dunne, who died in 1890.]

Thursday 16th
Went to Punchestown races with Mr. Tomasson and Waller. A very great concourse of people there, racing good but could not see much of the course. Prince & Princess of Wales and Lord Lieutenant immensely cheered. Returned to Sallins by 5.45, crowd was so great and trains so badly managed that we did not leave till about 9.45 and reached home at 2.30 a.m., had a very good view of Princess at railway station. Pat Mahon was also there. Drank Mr. & Mrs. C. Packe's health.

Friday 17th
Waller left for Brittas after luncheon and I for Dublin where I arrived at 5.30 and drove to Webbs with box and then to 20 Lower Fitzwilliam Street where Fanny Robinson received me and we chatted until dinner then Frank came in and we had a great talk, after dinner Joe R. came in and we had a smoke and chatted then bed.

Saturday 18th
At 11 drove with Fanny to the Shelbourne [Hotel] picked up Susan Fox (of Foxhall) [Co. Longford] and went to St. Patricks to see and hear the installation of the Prince of Wales. Saw the procession arrive (through the church window). Saw Mr. and Mrs. Tisdall and Archdeacon and Emily Goold, music and pageantry very fine, all went off well. Returned with ladies to Shelbourne and 20 Fitzwilliam Street had luncheon , wrote to Flo, went to club, then dinner, smoke and bed.

Sunday 19th
Went to Christ Church, to organ loft with Dr. Stewart, heard lovely music from Athalee, Prince and Princess there.

Monday 20th
Went to review in the Phenix, [sic] met Annie and Susie and Mr. Hepenstal - Prince and Princess went along the line of people to show themselves and got immensely cheered "a grand sight altogether". Walked back to No. 20 and had luncheon with Fanny and with great difficulty got a car and was just in time for train, got out at Geashill went to The Castle dined and slept there, met Ld. Digby, General Porter and Mr. Trench (senior). [An account of the improvements at the Geashill Estate of Lord Digby (some 30,000 acres0 will be found in William Steuart Trench's Realities of Irish Life, completed in 1868 and published in 1869. It is a biased but useful account. Porter was a friend of Lord Digby. Trench lived at Cardtown, Mountrath (mentioned in my previous articles on William Nassau Senior) and Lord Digby at Sherborne Castle, Dorset. Trench states (at page 330) that Lord Digby spent £32,795 on improvements in the ten years 1857 - 67.]

Tuesday 21st
Mr. W. Trench and Tommy, Lord Digby and co. left for Dublin. After b'fast I went on a car to Gurteen bridge met the brougham and came home found all right, but that Tanham had disobeyed orders. Waller came from Brittas to luncheon. Walked about with him looking at the progress that everything had made.

Wednesday 22nd
Dick went to Dublin to the cattle show. A wet day. Waller left for Meelick [ on the Shannon, West of Banagher ], at 12.30. After luncheon walked about looking after farming operations. After dinner read papers, tea.

Thursday 23rd
Drove to Killeigh on car, met Trench's car which brought me to the Castle Geashill. Met Ld. Digby and after talking a little set out with a party the Lord included to see drainage on different parts of the estate, got home at 7.40. Dinner and bed at 10.30. Ld. Digby and Trench's very civil showed me everything worth seeing.

Friday 24th
Walked about after b'fast with Ld. Digby and Trench and afterwards with Lord Digby only he lamented Trench's religious nonsense, etc. Pat came at 10 left at 12 driving dog cart and pair, both mares went well the whole way home, never turning a hair at the weather, was hot at the time. Arrived home at 2 found all going pretty well.

Saturday 25th
Writing letters and attending to farming operations all day long. Steward returned home at 12 but was so tired and unwell that nothing was to be got out of him, xcept paying the men in the evening.

Sunday 26th
Drove to Clonaslee church [lately purchased by a local community group], spent afternoon with Max, Charlotte and Caroline Coote.

Monday 27th
Tearing up library floor the joists being all rotten. Dick sowing grass seeds in Minnocks 10 acres. After luncheon went to look at Minnocks field and then helping to raise stones, rocks and bog timber in Rabbit burrow moor.

Tuesday 28th
Jimmy Doyle in Tullamore getting plank and joists for the library. I assisting to raise rocks and bog timber in Rabbit burrow moor, wrote letters, etc . After luncheon walked over farm inspecting fences, tea, put up wire netting on entrance gate.

Wednesday 29th
Wrote letters in forenoon, etc. After luncheon cutting and piling branches in shrubbery north of garden. M & C and Caroline Coote, arrived; walked about gardens with them. They departed at 5.30 or there abouts.

Thursday 30th
Mr. Fred Lane came, showed him over the farm , he admired the bull and ram very much and also the long wool'd hogget. We measured her wool and it was 11 to 20 inches long. After luncheon burning stumps in middle clump in lawn.

Friday 1st
Wrote letters after 1. Helped to raise stones ? in moor. After luncheon burning stumps, tea. Drove at 6 to Lynally dined with R. Coote, met M & C and Max and Caroline Coote, came home at 10.15.

Saturday 2nd
Planting potatoes, very firm dry weather, wrote letters and walked about the garden and farm. Dined at 2. Drove to Rigney's at Roscore to tell about Long John Rigney's death in the Maryboro Asylum, visited Cummins and returned.

Sunday 3rd
Walked to church and about farm in afternoon.

Monday 4th
Drove to Roscore. Employed during the day collecting rents. Inspected Curraghweel wood where timber was being cut and left for home about 6. After dinner (7.30) counting and arranging money for the bank.

Tuesday 5th
Drove to Tullamore, lodged money received yesterday in Bank, visited Mr. Willcox (Clergyman) and brought him home to luncheon and to see the place. After luncheon walked about with him until the Clara Hill party came. Found ? C. Coote had driven over from Lynally she returned and M.A, Mr. W. and I walked to the lake and back, he then left. M.A. C and Max dined chatted and left at 9.40. M. A. had a bad headache.

Wednesday 6th
Looking and helping at farm work, raising rocks, tea. Wrote letters. Dined at 2. Mr. and Mrs. Tomasson arrived, showed them all over the Establishment, he admired the ram ("Scottie") very much and my long wool'd hogget (20 inches long !!!) and did not despise the bull. Gave Mrs. T some 6 o'clock tea and astonished her with the cream, they left at 6.30 very much pleased.

Thursday 7th
Commenced x (cross)cutting beech timber in shrubbery, north of garden, and also clearing away and heaping branches with Bergin. Wrote letters. Dined at 2. After dinner x (cross)cutting till 6, then walked about looking at crops. Cheese and grog at 8.30, read papers and did accounts.

Friday 8th
x (cross) cutting beech timber in shrubbery (north of garden wall) with Bergin all day. Wrote letters. Dined at 2. Walked about with Dick after 6 p.m. Read papers and played a little before bed time.

Saturday 9th
Rain wished for. x (cross) cutting beech timber in shrubbery as yesterday. A nice shower about 11 o'clock. Wrote letters. Dined at 2. x (cross) cutting until 6 and finished the wood as far as cutting was concerned. Got a severe blow in my right eye and was some time before I could see again. Barny Rigney paid his rent

Sunday 10th
Drove to church with maids. Dined at Gornamona at 3, walked home at 8.

Monday 11th
Fair day of Tullamore, Dick went in to sell 20 hoggets. I drove in at 12.30 and visited Featherstone and Dr. and Mrs. Ridley who gave me luncheon. Saw Corbett and Conroy at the hotel. Returned home by 5 - chop at 7.30 - making spills, tea afterwards. Only got 27 shillings for the hoggets, prices very much down.

Tuesday 12th
At work stacking timber and raking up brances in shrubbery north of garden. Wrote letters and dined at 2. Afterwards burning branches in the lane leading to Lambs until 7 o'clock.

Wednesday 13th
F sent me a delightful likeness of herself for a birthday present. Cut several lamp poles in Pettits plantation and talked to the priest about a school. Wrote letters and dined at 2. After dinner walking about the farm inspecting progress ? at the barley.

Thursday 14th
Wrote letters and walked about garden, tea. After luncheon looking at turf cutting. At 4.45 went to Tullamore and dined with Fetherstone at the Gaol met Acres, Peirce and a Mr. McGusty (of the bank) had ? dinner and returned at 9.

Friday 15th
Walked about farm and wrote letters. After dinner putting in various places library, hall door steps, tea. At work clearing bog drains. Crops growing very fast.

Saturday 16th
Inspecting gardens and topping hollies in shrubbery n. of garden. Wrote letters. Dined at 2. After dinner cutting timber and superintending placing it so as to keep a bog bank from slipping.

Sunday 17th
Walked to church. Walked about farm after dinner.

Monday 18th
Walking about looking at turf cutting, heavy thunder and lightning and rain in afternoon. Wrote letters. Waller arrived from Athlone at 4. Walking about and talking to him all the evening. Dined at 7.30.

Tuesday 19th
Walking about turf banks, tea with Waller, wrote letters. Old Hickey very ill with dropsy. Dined at 2. Drove at 3 to Gortnamona, saw Mrs. Tomasson and left her some honey then on to Roscore. Marked timber until 6.45 then drove home.

Wednesday 20th
Poor old Hickey died this morning (the best and oldest workman in the work) and left 8 children and a wife - very poor. Dined at 2. Alfred Bury came and asked us to dinner at Lynally. He was very lame with gout. He left about 3.30. We drove to Lynally at 6.20 dined with Ralph Coote and Alfred and returned at 9.50 home. A showery day, Ralph looked better than when I last saw him and gave us tip top wine as usual.

Thursday 21st (Ascension Thursday)
Too wet to go to church so wrote letters and walked about, Waller went to Brittas. As showery day. Luncheon at 2, after which employed mending paling between 5 acres and Minnocks hill. Waller returned having only seen C. Dunne and Max Coote, the major in Dublin. Dined at 7.40 and took a stroll after dinner.

Friday 22nd
Up at 6.35, went to Doyles wood to see some weasels (stoats) dug up. Killed 7 of them (young ones). After b'fast at 11.30 went and attended sheep washing at the lake, 99 sheep were washed, total number including lambs (on the farm) 191. Ewe lambs very fine. Wrote letters and dined at 2. After dinner cutting and pruning hollies in shrubbery, tea, and mending gate at Ivy house.

Saturday 23rd
Doing various odd jobs in forenoon and writing letters. After dinner at 2 inspecting farm work and turf cutters . Acres, Peirce came to see the sheep, tea. Walked about everywhere with him, he was astonished at the 20 inches of wool and at the ram, topping hollies in shrubbery n. of garden in afternoon,

Sunday 24th
Too wet to go to church. Monday 25th
Young Castles employed painting stairs in hall and lobby and puttying lobby windows. Tea, wrote letters and luncheon at 2. Waller walked to Clara Hill. Employed at various small jobs dined at 7.30 with Waller, walked out after dinner. Showery.

Tuesday 26th
Castles painting baths and puttying windows. Tea, wrote letters, looking after Doyle who was altering window stools in lobby and front bedrooms. Waller left for Dublin by 7.30 train. Dined at 2. A wet day could not do much out of doors so worked in workshop. Very heavy showers.

Wednesday 27th
After B'fast went to attend sheep shearing, found Dick Tauham and Sutherland hard at work, clipped 50 ewes and hoggets by 7 o'clock, many of them very difficult to clip wool was so close. Dined at 2. Went again to the shearing and then to inspect ploughing and gathering of scutch in Minnocks Hill. Best hogget's fleece 9 and a half lbs, ram 10 and a quarter lbs. Castle painting stairs, 2nd coat and inside and outside of boat.

Thursday 28th
Dick at Frankford fair selling a small Devon cow - came back at 2 having sold her at 12 pounds (a very fair price). Wrote letters and attended to farm business during forenoon. After dinner at 2 went to see the remainder of sheep shorn, repaired several things broken about the office's.

Friday 29th
Writing letters and doing odd jobs all forenoon. At 1.30 the Clara Hill party came and lunched while I dined. We walked about after luncheon. Max went to Lynally and returned, Ralph Coote much the same, M.A.C, and Max left at 5. Waller arrived from Bellair at 4.

Saturday 30th
Clipping lawn hedge next to lane, writing letters, tea. Dined at 2. After dinner Waller shooting hawks and a cat. I clipping hedge and finishing painting posts and wire at S.E. corner of garden which Doyle had been at since 8. After supper walked round crops with Waller and wrote up this. Lovely dry weather.

Sunday 31st
Waller and I walked to Church.

Wednesday 1st
Everyone late this morning after last night's dissipation, Waller and I walked to church - very few people there. Returned by 2 to luncheon. After lunch, preparing Xmas tree at 4; 40 children were regaled with tea and cake, and bread and jam, after which they all came up to the lobby and received their presents from off the tree which was very pretty and very well arranged. The children enjoyed it very much. C and Max attended and played with the children. [C. was Charlotte, a sister of Maxwell Fox and Maxwell was Maxwell Coote, son of Colonel Chidley Coote of Portarlington. Waller is almost certainly the younger brother of Maxwell Fox. William Waller Fox, a captain in the 60th rifles married his cousin, Emma Louise Fox, in 1871.]

Thursday 2nd
Went to Tullamore on car to attend gaol board. Luncheon with Fetherstone in the gaol called on Dr. Ridley about Mrs. Marshall and returned home. Played whist after dinner. [Fetherstone was Captain Harry Fetherston-Haugh governer of the county jail at Tullamore from March 1868 and Ridley, a Tullamore doctor, Dr. John Ridley was appointed physician to the jail in 1850.]

Friday 3rd
1Splitting wood all the forenoon. After luncheon, Dr. Ridley came to see Mrs. Marshall drove in his trap to Doyles gate and walked back. After dinner played whist and read.

Saturday 4th
Splitting fire wood in Florence's garden, and writing letters. Charlotte and Max arrived and went to the lake to see the skaters; came back to luncheon after which the Coote's departed. I went to split wood. Played whist after dinner [Florence or Flo was the wife of Maxwell Fox and a daughter of Sir Andrew Buchanan. The lake is Annaghmore Lake.]

Sunday 5th
Walked with Waller to church, a cold day.
[Presumably to Blacklion church, still standing, but closed for many years.]

Monday 6th
Drove in dog cart with Dick to Blue Ball attended Dispensary (of course no guardian was there) then walked to Roscore, inspected ewes with Dick, looked at ploughing and returned to luncheon at 2. Walked with Flo to Lambs after luncheon then burnt a beech stump in middle clump. Doing accounts with Waller all the evening. [Roscore in the Civil Parish of Rahan was Fox property. Lambs may have lived in Annaghbrack.]

Tuesday 7th
Went out shooting Clonad bottoms for fox, ducks etc,. Waller shot 1 teal, 1 partridge, and 1 rabbit. I wounded a duck. After dinner played whist. Mrs. Marshall a little better.

Wednesday 8th
Cutting beech for fire wood in Doyle's clump all day with Bergin. After luncheon - Dick selling turnips at 16 shilling per ton - finished cutting down and snagging 3 trees. After dinner played whist. Mrs. Marshall not mending much.

Thursday 9th
Cutting beech for fire wood in Doyles clump all forenoon. Luncheon at 1. After luncheon drove with Flo to Tullamore to see Dr. Ridley about Mrs. Marshall, he was away at Rathrobin so returned home. Waller and Bergin crosscutting beech. Played whist after dinner. Mrs. Marshall better.
[Rathrobin, the home of Francis W.M.Biddulph was situated near Mountbolus and was destroyed in 1922, Francis Biddulph died in 1868 and was succeeded at Rathrobin by Middleton Biddulph.]

Friday 10th
Drove to Clonad with Waller met Daly and shot the wood; a very disagreeable day, raining a little all day. Shot 7 and a half brace of Cock, 6 hares, 3 rabbits: shooting very good. Home by 4. 40. After dinner played whist. The Ridleys called at 3. Mrs. M.[Marshall] much better.

Saturday 11th
Drove with Flo on car to Lynally left her there and went on to Tullamore to lodge money in bank. Saw Mr. Whelan about Sheriff's business and returned to Lynally picked up Flo and returned home to luncheon at 2.45. Charlotte and Max were at Lynally. After dinner played whist. Mrs. Marshall much better.
[Mr. Robert Whelan, Solicitor, in O'Connor Square, Tullamore - Robert Whelan was appointed sub sheriff in March 186l and was succeeded by Richard Bullion in 1884.
In effect, the sub sheriff attended to the practical duties of the high sheriff including the supervision of court seizure of property.]

Sunday 12th
Walked to church with Waller. F [Florence] and maids drove.

Monday 13th
Drove in to Tullamore with Waller, did deed signing business with Mr. Whelan (Master in Chancery), did business also at the bank and returned home to luncheon. After which walked with Flo to sheep-house in Phadrick's hollow and back taking the dogs with us. After dinner everyone reading.

Tuesday 14th
The high Sherriff was selected from a panel of leading landowners in the County who served in the Grand Jury. A squally wet day, too wet to do anything out of doors in forenoon. Wrote letters and worked in workshop after luncheon. Cut down old stumps in Middle clump and a holly at entrance of Doyle's wood. After dinner played whist. Mrs. Marshall getting on first rate.

Wednesday 15th
Drove with Waller to Glaskill on car met Peirce and Ridley and Charleville keeper (Mitchell) shot the wood and only got 5 rabbits and 1 and a half brace of Cock and one owl. Walked to Patsey's house and from there drove home. Home by 5. After dinner played whist.
[Peirce was of the distinguished medical and legal family in Tullamore living at Acres' Hall . Glaskill was Charleville property. Waller was William Waller Fox.]

Thursday 16th
Burning stumps in Middle clump and writing letters. Blowing a gale all day after luncheon. Burning stumps. Walked a little with Flo who had a headache in the evening and went to bed instead of dinner.[Florence, the wife of Maxwell Fox.]

Friday 17th
Pulling down an ash tree at entrance of Doyle's wood with tackles. Got it down in a few minutes. Flo[Florence] a little better after luncheon cross cutting ash tree. Very sleepy after dinner.

Saturday 18th
Cutting ash tree with Bergin for fire wood as the turf is beginning to run short. Blowing a very heavy gale all the forenoon a spruce tree (opposite the greenhouse close to sunk fence) blown down. Almost impossible to walk on the avenue the wind was so powerful. After luncheon cutting and stacking fire wood. Heard that Roscore tenants had suffered much from the wind and Tullamore also. Played whist after dinner. [Roscore in Rahan Civil Parish on the Fox Estate.]

Sunday 19th
Walked with Waller to church. Flo and Mrs. Cox went on car.

January 20th
Waller went at 9 to Athlone to sell his colt. Drove with Flo in Broughaun to Tullamore. Flo saw Dr. Ridley at Infirmary. I attended auditing the Infirmary accounts for the year then went to Ridley's picked up Flo, and came home at quarter to 3. Had lucheon and went to Doyle's wood to inspect filling hole where ash tree had been uprooted and cut for fire wood, dragged beech branches to be burnt. Waller returned at 7. Played whist in evening.
[The Infirmary was situated in, Church Street, Tullamore and was the County Hospital, with some 50 beds. It is now in a derelict condition and the subject of a development application.]

Tuesday 21st
Cutting a large ash stump into fire wood with Bergin all forenoon. Wrote a letter to A. Bury after luncheon. Flo returned from visiting Ralph Coote at Lynally. Bergin and I crosscutting beech for fire wood. Played whist after dinner.

Wednesday 22nd
Collecting strew'd branches and burning them in Doyle's wood and writing letters in forenoon. After luncheon Waller left on car for Clara Hill taking Flo [Florence] as far as Tanhams lodge. I raked and wheeled chips to fire in M. A.'s barrow. Bilious in the evening. Flo[Florence]tired.

Thursday 23rd
Burning and raking up leaves in Doyle's wood and writing letters. Mrs. Low came to luncheon. After luncheon Fetherston came having walked from Tullamore with his pointer a sagacious looking old dog. Flo and I walked with him to Tanhams lodge, which walk gave Flo neuralgia she was in great pain and sick at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Friday 24th
Flo much better. Blowing a gale from S.E. and afterwards southward with heavy rain all day till 4 o'clock. After luncheon splitting and crosscutting fire wood in cart shed. Walked to Lambs and back. Read the papers and an excellent speech of Lord Stanley's about the remedies for Ireland. [Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, replaced as conservative prime minister by
Disraeli in February 1868.]

Saturday 25th
Drove to Tullamore met Mr. Whelan and drove with him to Clara, was sworn in High Sheriff, returned to Tullamore and home ("Ruby going well") at 3 - Dick laid up with bad faceache, walked about inspecting farm. After dinner played and sang with Flo until 11, then bed. [Robert Whelan the King's County sub-sheriff and a Tullamore Solicitor.]

Sunday 26th
Drove Flo and maids to church and walked back.

Monday 27th
Superintending the farming operations. Sold a ton and a half of turnips. Flo and Meades went in Broughaun to Clara Hill and returned at 2 bring a very bad account of Aunt Henrietta. Waller returned on foot from Clara Hill. Played whist after dinner. Very bilious in the evening.

Tuesday 28th
Superintending farming operations all day. Flo drove to the school at Killoughey church and returned to luncheon. Waller went out shooting and got 3 snipe. Sent to Tullamore for 2d post. Got a letter from Marian giving a hopeless account of poor Aunt Henrietta. Played whist in the evening.

Wednesday 29th
Superintending farming as yesterday and writing letters. Walked with Flo down avenue to get moss for Jessie. Charlotte, Max and Mr. Henry Close arrived to luncheon. After luncheon walked about with Mr. Close showing him different things about farm and garden. They left at 4. Played whist after dinner. [Charlotte Fox, sister of Maxwell Fox married Maxwell Coote in 1865.

Thursday 30th
Shot the coverts with Walker. Max, Coote and Mr. Close were to have joined us but did not come. Sent for Dr. O'Malley (who came at 7) to see Dick who had Tic Doularoux. Played whist after dinner.
[Tic Doularoux - a form of neuralgia.]

Friday 31st
Doing accounts and writing letters. Inspected farming operations. After luncheon topping and raising a large Holly in monument that had been blown down. Played whist after dinner. Dick no better.

Monday 1st (Whit Monday)
Wrote letters and prepared for the Shannon W [Waller, his brother] & I left at 11 for Frankford [Kilcormac] on car, and from there by hack car to Banagher where we found W's boat waiting pulled down to Meelick and took up our quarters with Pat Killeen who keeps the only public house in the place. Tried for salmon and trout in afternoon and evening. Bed about half past ten.

Tuesday 2nd
Up at 8, breakfast walked about and wrote letters then off to fish the fords till dinner at 3, did not see a stir the whole day. Fished again for peal(?) and trout but got only a few little trout about 6 inches long, but very good eating. Pulled down to see a turf and squeezing apparatus worked by steam, turf very good but costly. Visited Tyvenasragh found them preparing for the Major.

Wednesday 3rd
Blowing fresh and raining. Walked to see part of Pat Kileens farm. Wrote letters, walked about chatting until dinner at 3, after which it cleared up a bit so we tried for fish and only got a few little trout.

Thursday 4th
Spent the day as usual fishing in all manner of ways but not even getting a rise, dined at 3. Caught a few little trout from 8 to 9 in the evening.

Friday 5th
Up at 7, b'fast at 8. Pulled down to Whites ford fished it and got nothing then went on to Derry ford tried there with same success and eat our luncheon on Derry island. Sailed back to Whites ford and tried again, not a rise! Met Major Dunne [of Brittas, Clonaslee] and chatted with him then sailed back to Meelick dined and tried for trout in the evening caught a few little ones.

Saturday 6th
Up at 8, b'fast wrote letters then tried fords for salmon, nil! Lunched at 1.30 then left in Wallers boat under sail for Banagher arrived at 4.15 found car waiting returned home by Whigsboro [Whigsborough House near Derrinlough] (met Miss Drought again on horseback) and Frankford where Pat was waiting found everything looking blooming and several letters waiting for me. Enjoyed a good dinner and sleep.

Sunday 7th
Walked to Church and about farm in afternoon.

Monday 8th
After b'fast wrote letters and drove to Tullamore visited Ridley at the Infirmary to give directions about Henry Geoghegan who was hurt by a heifer [The County Infirmary at Church Street, Tullamore, now in ruins]. Saw Whelan about the G..J. Panel and Denning at bank then had wine and bread with Fetherson, met Algernon Coote at railway station and returned home to dinner. [Whelan was a Tullamore solicitor and sub-sheriff and Fox discussed Grand Jury business with him. He later met F.B. Denning, the agent or manager of the Bank of Ireland branch at High Street, Tullamore. Curiously, the same building is now owned by Hoey and Denning solicitors, a firm founded in the 1880's by George Hoey and J. A. Denning, a son of Frederick Benson Denning.]

Tuesday 9th
After b'fast wrote letters and walked about till plumber came to put in a new tap to kitchen boiler and also to repair pump. Attending to his wants until dinner and after that till 5, then working in workshop and putting a ring into a stone with lead for boats moorings. Mr. Brown of Mountmellick came at 9 to buy our wool and said he never saw such a fleece as my little hoggets in all his life and offered me 1/10d a pound, hogget wool going at 1/5d.

Wednesday 10th
Wrote letters and walked about farm, launched the boat and moored her of the pier. Dinner at 2, after which doing various jobs. Baled boat out in the evening as she was full of water. Brown's sow had 9 little pigs at 10 o'clock.

Thursday 11th (Corpus Christi)
A holiday. Dick and carts at Tullamore with wools which he sold to Morris at 16 1/4 a pound. I burning stumps, tea, dined at 2. Baled boat out and burnt stumps in middle clumps in lawn. Got £43 for my wool.

Friday 12th
Preparing for Flo's [Florence, his wife] arrival, dined at 2 - packed and left at 4.30 called to see Ralph Coote on my way to the station at Tullamore. Met Algernon Coote and son at station. Went to Dublin by 6 train arrived at 9.30 went to Maple's hotel, supper, smoke and bed.

Saturday 13th
Up at 6.30 went in cab to meet Flo at Westland Row found train had arrived and Flo busy about luggage, took her away with me to Maples, she looking very fair after her voyage, b'fast after which out shopping till luncheon at 2.30, then drove to 4 train and arrived at Tullamore at 7. Drove home in brougham and found house looking very nice and clean.

Sunday 14th
Walked to church. Flo too tired to go. Walked with her in afternoon

Monday 15th
Wrote letters and walked about with Flo till dinner time at 2. After which drove with F. to Clara Hill [near Clonaslee] found all well there chatted walked about and returned at 7.30 to tea. Walked about in evening with Flo.

Tuesday 16th
With Flo and writing letters all the forenoon. Miss Dunne [of Brittas] came at 1.30 had luncheon at our dinner time (2) walked about garden and offices with her and Flo. Miss D. left at 4. F. & I walked to lake and back, then tea at 7.30. Armstrong handing over plate to me.

Wednesday 17th
Armstrong left for Londonderry and Canada. After b'fast Flo and I rode to Lynally, she rode her mare "Ruby" for the first time and liked her but she tripped several times walking. Ralph looking very shaky. Home at 1, wrote letters dined at 2. Flo read Parke's book to me then went down to put boats moorings to rights. F. joined me and I pulled her about, tea at 8. New butler came at 11 named St. George.

Thursday 18th
Writing letters, tea in forenoon and doing little odd jobs about shrubbery straining wire paling. Dined at 2 - after dinner pulled Flo about in boat. Drove to Lynally in brougham with Flo, dined and came back at 11. Ralph in bad spirits and a good deal feebler. Met Mr. French a clergyman, son of Frend and Mr. Willer and Danson curate.

Friday 19th
A very hot day. Painting baths and writing letters , tea in forenoon. Dined at 2. Burning stumps in afternoon until 5.30 then rode with Flo as far as Derings on Gurteen road and returned as roads were so hard and rough and Ruby went badly in her fore feet.

Saturday 20th
Blowing fresh from S.E. and looking like rain - wrote letters and walked about the farm. After dinner at 2 the Clara Hill party arrived walked about with them until 5 when they left for home. Then walked about with Flo. Waller came at 10 from Meelick, rained a little about 3 to 4 on Sunday morning.

Sunday 21st
Walked to church, Flo and maids drove, pouring all afternoon and evening.

Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th:
No entries recorded.

Monday 29th
Ridleys called in afternoon, walked about garden with them. Dined at Gortnamona at 7. Met William Morris, had a pleasant evening, home by 12.

Tuesday 30th
Nothing particular going on. Flo had a headache.

Wednesday 1st
Drove in to Tullamore with Flo. Lunched with Fetherstone at the Gaol, called on Peirce's and Ridley's and Willcox's. Then home calling at Lynally. Took Flo out sailing to try and cure a headache. No go she went to bed early.

Thursday 2nd
The Tomassons and 2 children came to luncheon, walked about the garden and farm with Tomasson who liked everything particularly Napers sow.

Friday 3rd
Went to Tullamore at 9.15 attended swearing in of Grand Jury and read the paper till 3.30, smoked with Fetherstone in the Gaol and drove home by 5 being too seedy to dine with Grand Jury. Pulled Flo about the lake.

Saturday 4th
After b'fast tidying up workshop and finishing fitting of boats gear, wrote letters. After dinner expecting a visit from Garvey who we just missed having walked down to garden to look at a fire, heard wheels but arrived too late at the house as Garvey had been and gone. Took Flo a sail.

Sunday 5th
Walked to church, Flo and maids drove.

Monday 6th
B'fast at 1/4 to 8 left at 8.30 for Tullamore. Received Judge Keogh at station and took him to his lodgings and at 11 took him to Court House and attended court with him till 1.30. Sent carriage to Clara with Sub-Sheriff who returned with Judge O'Brien at 1, then attended in Record court with Judge O'Brien till 5 and returned with him to lodgings, sent Pat for dress clothes and dined with Judge a very jolly dinner, home by 11.30

Tuesday 7th
After b'fast preparing for Judges visit, wrote letters, tea. Judges arrived at 1.45 to luncheon, after which walked about the garden, and offices with them, Flo accompanying us. They left about 5 then C, M.A, and Max arrived. M.A remained and C and M returned at 7. Flo had a bad headache.

Wednesday 8th
Employed after b'fast laying down fresh moorings for the boat. After dinner at 2 M.A. and Flo drove to Lynally and when they returned joined me for a sail on the lake till tea time (8.30) after which we walked to Scotland gate and back, a pleasant evening.

Thursday 9th
After b'fast in garden with gardener smoothering bees, tea. Wrote letters - scraped Flo's round table, ready for painting. After dinner at 2 showed the lambs to M.A. She and Flo drove to Rathrobin then we all went for a sail on the lake till 8.30 a nice N.E. wind.

Friday 10th
A very hot close day. Burnt weeds at back of garden and wrote letters. After dinner at 2, Burnt weeds walked about farm with Mr. Wilson's steward (Ramsay) and Dick until tea time, Ramsay admired everything particularly Bull and Ram. Sold 20 lambs for £21 to Egan. Walked about with M.A. and Flo after tea.

Saturday 11th
Drove to Clara Hill with Flo and M.A.; C, F, Max, M.A., a Mr. Mitchell (curate of Mountmellick) and I got on hack cars and drove round by the Cut, Lacka and stopping to luncheon (while a thunder strom was going on over Clonaslee) about 4 miles from Castle Bernard, drove around by that place (going through it) and met our own car at Mr. Johnstons (Coola) then drove home. Florence dead tired, went to bed with a bad sick headache.

Sunday 12th
I walked to church in forenoon, ladies and maids drove in evening.

Monday 13th
Drove with Jane Milne to Tullamore, called at the Rectory to see Mr. Joly about J.M's licence, did business at bank and Goodbody's and home by 3 to dinner. After which took M.A. and Flo a sail till tea time. [John Swilt Joly rector of Tullamore 1861 to 1869 and father of Charles Jasper Joly the astronomer who was born at Tullamore rectory in 1864.]

Tuesday 14th
M.A. left for Meath at 6.50. A very hot day, could do nothing it was so hot. After dinner at 2 burnt some stumps and lay on the grass hearing Flo read out Maximillian's Life. Waller arrived at 7.30 seed with liver complaint. Thunder and lightning, walked about with F and W after tea. [Florence, his wife and Waller his brother.]

Wednesday 15th
Getting in hay all day and luckily just in time as it rained a little, now promised more. Drove with Waller to Roscore [in Rahan Parish] at 3.15 walked about woods with Rigney and Joe Cummins, returned home by 6.45. Spitting rain all evening. Willcox's came at 2.45.

Thursday 16th
Walked in garden with Flo and Waller. Dined at 2. Sailed on lake [Annaghmore] with Flo, after tea walked out about the place. Played whist in the evening.

Friday 17th
Wrote letters, tea. After dinner Sadleir's called. Pulled Flo about in the boat.

Saturday 18th
Heavy Showers. After dinner, Flo drove to see Mrs. Tomasson who had been very Ill. Read in evening.

Sunday 19th
Received news of poor Uncle Lestocks (?) death. Attended the sacraments.

Monday 20th
Preparing for travelling. Luncheon at 1.30. Drove to meet 3 train dropping Flo at Lynally, reached Dublin in good time, met Richards (old college mate) at the Kings B station [now Hueston, erected c. 1843] and got a chop tea at the hotel opposite W.Row station and started for England, arrived in "Leinster" at Holyhead a little past time.

Tuesday 21st
Got to London about 7, drove to Victoria station and arrived at Anerly at 9.30. B'fast, found all well except M.P.E, who was in bed with diarrhea. The hottest day this year thermometer at 8 o'clock a.m., could not stir out at all the whole day. Walked with Harrie and Miss Young and retired to bed early.

Wednesday 22nd
Went to town and attended poor Uncle Lestock's funeral. D.A. Beaufort, Debrisee, 2 Boileau's, J. Wilson and Dr. Symmonds were present. The vault was in Hackney church yard where Aunts Honora and Fanny and Sir F. Beaufort were buried. Return to Mastrim in the evening to dinner and early bed.

Thursday 23rd
Went to town after b'fast visited Uncle George who was bad enough with neuralgia, also called on John McPherson and returned with him to Mastrim. Went to the palace to hear the concert - not good. Returned to tea after which started for town and left for Dublin at 8.25.

Friday 24th
One of the rising generation in the same carriage who drank and smoked he was about 14. Arrived in Dublin at 8.50, went to club for breakfast after which shopped, tea and returned to Tullamore by 4 train, found Flo waiting for me at station.

Saturday 25th
A hot day, Max Coote came to luncheon.

Sunday 26th - No entry.

Monday 27th
Painting legs of Flo's table, tea and working in workshop. Walked about with F. After dinner burning stumps, pulled Flo about in boat till tea at 8, after which strolled about with F and W and smoked. Played whist.

Tuesday 28th
Raining and blowing all day long, at work in workshop making nuts for reaping machine. 2 Baliffs came to get warrants signed [Fox was the high sheriff and probably a Justice of the Peace.] Read and played whist in evening.

Wednesday 29th
Walking about farm, Mr. Low came. After dinner chatting with Low. Drove with Flo to Gortnamona saw Mrs. Tomasson and children, returned at 6.30 and walked about with Flo. After tea read and played whist.

Thursday 30th
After dinner, cutting thistles in lawn, walked with Flo to Doyle's met the Toler Garveys coming to call. [Agents to Lord Rosse and Lord Norbury of Durrow]. Walked about and chatted with them they (and Miss Johnston) departed at 6.35, destroyed wasps nests. Played whist after tea.

Friday 31st
Drove to Brittas [near Clonaslee, destroyed c. 1942] after luncheon with Flo and Waller. Saw Miss Dunne and the Major. Walked about the place and returned home at 6.30. Flo had a bad headache and retired to bed, did accounts.

Saturday 1st
Drove to Tullamore with Waller did business at bank, visited Fetherstone [Governor of jail] and returned to luncheon after which inspected reaping black oats in Phadrick's hollow, walked about with Flo and burnt stumps. Dined at 7.30 walked about afterwards and then played whist.

Sunday 2nd
Walked to church, F, W and Meades drove

Monday 3rd
Went to Blue Ball to attend dispensary work. Major Dunne came to luncheon, walked about farm with him and Waller. Alfred Bury arrived at 8 from Dublin. Dined at 8.15. Chatting all evening. [Alfred Bury managed the Charleville Estate for his nephew from c. 1860 to 1873 until the child reached 21. On the death of his nephew, the fourth earl of Charleville in 1874 he succeeded to the estate and title but died a year later in 1875 at the age of 46. He was grandson to the first earl of Charleville and granduncle to Colonel C. K. Howard Bury who died in 1963.]

Tuesday 4th
Alfred B went to Tullamore and returned in the evening, luncheon at 2. Looking and assisting at the reaping of wheat in 3 1/2 acre field next to lambs.

Wednesday 5th
Rain all morning, after luncheon drove to Gortnamona with Flo and A. Bury, saw the Tomassons and returned home. Dined at 7.30. Reaping wheat a good crop.

Thursday 6th
Waller left for Meath at 7. Alfred Bury went to Charleville, after luncheon drove to Lynally and saw Charlotte, Max and Ralph Coote, then went on to Charleville. Met Robert Dunne and family, a Capt. Upton, tea, who were picnicking. Walked about garden with Alfred and the party and returned home to dinner at 8.

Friday 7th
Walking about looking at reaping and burning stumps. After luncheon walked about with Flo. Alfred came back from Tullamore where he had been on business. A, gusty, squally, showery, chilly day.

Saturday 8th
At work in workshop with A. Bury, luncheon at 2. Afterwards drove on car with Flo and A.B. to Brittas. Saw the General and Edward, Charles, Dick and 2 Miss Dunnes of Portarlington, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Adams, returned home by 6.45. Drawing in oats to haggard during afternoon. New housemaid arrived.

Sunday 9th
Drove F, Mrs. and housemaid to church.

Monday 10th
Reaping oats in lime kiln field, doing various jobs in shop and walking about with A. Bury. After dinner at 2, Alfred left for Lynally. Rained in afternoon. Walked with Flo in evening. Played to her after tea.

Tuesday 11th
A showery day, reaped a little in forenoon till stopped by rains, then clearing and taking out drum of threshing machine. After dinner at work regulating threshing machine straw drum. Went down to lake with Flo, bailed boat out and returned. Tried for ducks in barley field, but got none.

Wednesday 12th
Up at 6. Cleaning barn and threshing machine all forenoon. Dick at Castle Brack [near Clonaslee] fair selling 20 lambs. Only got 17. 5. for them. A very wet day, no doing anything but making hay rope, tea. Doyle making new beaters for drum of threshing machine. Very sleepy after tea, raining heavy.

Thursday 13th
Fitting new brass bearings to roller of threshing machine. After dinner reaping oats in lime kiln field. Drilling holes in iron plates for new beaters of threshing machine. Flo and Meades went on car to Clara Hill [near Clonaslee] and back. Shot 2 duck in Minnocks field.

Friday 21st
Read in papers of awful catastrophy that happened on Chester-Holyhead railway, Lord and Lady Farnham saved, others totally consumed by fire from parafin ignited by collision while in Irish Mail at "Abergole".

Sunday 23rd
Aunt (?) Flo and maids drove in brougham to church.

Thursday 27th
Finished reaping at 1.20. After luncheon attending the loading of barley. Picking nuts with Flo and Aunt Camilla. Played whist after dinner.

Friday 28th
Waller returned home. Aunt Camilla left in brougham at 11 for Castletown and Newcastle. Charlotte came to luncheon having been called for at Lynally by broughaun. After luncheon superintending loading of barley. General Dunne and Major Dunne, Low and Tomasson's dined. A successful party, bed at 2.30, Dunnes and Cootes remained the night.

Saturday 29th
Walked with Charlotte, Flo and whole party to inspect the turnips. Dunnes left at 11, C & Max after luncheon, when I walked to lake with Flo and took her out in the boat for a short time. Tea at 8 then read the papers and wrote in study.

Sunday 30th
Drove maids and Flo to church and drove back in rain.

Monday 31st
Fetherstone came to luncheon and chatted, tea. After dinner at 2 walked with Fetherstone to bog to show him the short cut to Tullamore, burnt a stump and cut and burned a large amount of thistles in near corner of Lough Moor.

Tuesday 1st
No entry.

Wednesday 2nd
Drove with Waller to Cadamstown, shot under Kinnity road all day, had a headache and only killed 1 grouse, W bagged 3 1/2 brace. Returned by 6.30, rather tired. After dinner at 7.30 tried to play whist but was too sleepy.

Friday 4th
Writing letters, doing accounts, tea. Flo and Waller drove in brougham to Tullamore at 1.45 and returned at about 5.30. I at work opening a drain in Lough Moor. Flo had a headache and retired after dinner.

Saturday 5th
Clearing drains in Lough Moor. After dinner at 2, cleaning my bedroom door lock and repairing it. Walked about with Florence and burnt stumps. After tea read papers, tea. Flo a little better.

Sunday 6th
An excessively hot day. Walked to church and attended sacraments, drove back.

Monday 7th
Blueball dispensary and Roscore. Afternoon working at drains at bottom of Lough Moor

Tuesday 8th
Working all day at drain in bottom of Lough Moor. Andie arrived at 7.50 to tea.

Wednesday 9th
At work at drain in Lough Moor. Went out in boat after luncheon, Mrs. Tomasson called.. Played whist after dinner.

Thursday 10th
Colonel Bernard and Major Dunne came after luncheon, walked about with them over the Colonel's farm. Flo and Andie drove to Lynally, Ralph rather worse.

Friday 11th
Rained all day. At work in workshop. A musical soiree in the evening.

Saturday 12th
Drove to Gortnamona with Flo and Andie, saw Mrs. Tomasson and babies and returned at 6. Played whist in evening.

Sunday 13th
Drove Florence and maids to church, Mr. Wilcox read and preached.

Monday 14th
Inspecting deepening of drains at bottom of Lough Moor. After luncheon Mr. Wilcox (curate) called and gave a bad account of Ralph Coote.

Tuesday 15th
Waller went to Dublin. Clearing out my workshop ready for bogwood. Wrote letters and did accounts after luncheon. Took Andie out shooting on bog. I shot grouse. After dinner played on guitar. Tea.

Wednesday 16th
Drove to Lynally with Flo and Andie met C and Max and went on to Charleville, walked over garden and Castle with Andie and Flo and returned home by 4.30. A cold east wind, Flo got neuralgia and retired after dinner.

Thursday 17th
Butler departed at 7. Flo much better. Pat Mahon installed as butler. At work at drains in Lough Moor. Waller returned from Dublin at 8.30.

Friday 18th
Ryan (a butler) arrived from Dublin and relieved Pat Mahon. Dick sowing grass and rape at Roscore. I filling cartridges. After luncheon cleaning a drain in upper part of Lough Moor, tea. Stowing away Waller's claret. Played whist in evening.

Saturday 19th
Drove Andie to Roscore in dog cart to see sowing. Tea. Visited Cummins. Home to luncheon. Max and Charlotte came, walked about with them. Flo had a touch of neuralgia again and went to bed early. Finished sowing in Roscore.

Sunday 20th
A wet forenoon, read service at 12.

Monday 21st
Tried for partridge with Waller abut home, only got 6 brace, shot badly and did not come across many birds. Met Mr. Fawcett at 1 and settled about cleaning drain at Fox covert
(Dunnes part). Shot again in afternoon, no luck, Florence went to Dublin. Old Cummins died at 3 in the morning.

Tuesday 22nd
Writing letters, tea in forenoon. Waller and Andie went out shooting, went to Dublin by 3.20 train, met Aunt Camilla and Flo at 6, dined and went to hear La Nosse del Figaro [Mozart's opera] singing, very good, orchestra poor. Slept at the lodgings, 69 Mount Street (lower).

Wednesday 23rd
Shopping, tea, met Ida Forbes at Drogheda terminus, and sent her on to lodgings. Went to see Aunt Harriet, Fox and Harrie in Baggot Street. Luncheon at 2. Left at 2.45 with luggage for station, met Flo and Ida at 4 and returned home by 8.20. Tea, dinner, chat and bed. Waller went to Cummins to attend funeral on horseback and returned before it started.

Thursday 24th
Drove to Roscore with Waller and shot the whole day, except 10 minutes to lunch. Got 8 brace, 7 1/2 in forenoon. A lovely day, shot 2 rabbits and 2 hares besides the birds, home at 7 rather tired. Played whist after dinner.

Friday 25th
A wet blowy day. Doing accounts and writing letters in forenoon. After luncheon at work turning in workshop. Flo had neuralgia again and no wonder. Played guitar to the company.

Saturday 26th
Writing letters and baling boat out, tea. After luncheon Ida, Flo and Andie drove to Clara Hill. Waller and I went out and shot about Saddleir's bog and fields, bagged 1 grouse and 3 partridges. Very wet on our return. Car returned at 6. Played and sang after dinner.

Sunday 27th
Miss Forbes drove in dog cart to mass. I drove Flo and maids in car to church and back, went to Clonaslee.

Monday 28th
Drove to Roscore with Waller and shot all day, but birds were wild and difficult to find, so only bagged 6 brace. After dinner dancing in dining room, I playing. Miss Dunne and Sam Adams called.

Tuesday 29th
Threshing barley with steam machine belong to Mr. Pattison. Waller left for Dublin after luncheon. Threshed 67 sacks.

Wednesday 30th
Threshed the rest of the barley and some oats (1 stack). After luncheon Andie and I drove to Tullamore , he went by 3 train to Dublin in co. with General Dunne. I visited Ralph Coote at Lynally. Ralph was very much altered for the worse and quite paralysed poor fellow. Kate fell and broke both knees badly and all carelessness.