The tenantry of the Glensharrold Estate, owned by Mr James O’Grady Delmege (Image), along with their landlord and agent, gathered as per appointment in Ardagh National Schoolroom. The Reverend J. Hallinan kindly provided the venue for the meeting, which took place on Saturday, for the purpose of initiating negotiations concerning the purchase of their holdings under the Wyndbaw Act.

Representing the tenantry were Rev. J. Hallinan and Mr P. J. O’Shaughnessy, the Parliamentary representative for the division. Mr Delmege, the landlord, outlined the objectives of the meeting, following which the tenantry, through Mr O’Shaughnessy, requested that Mr Delmege present his terms for consideration.

The landlord’s terms were revealed to be 20 per cent on second-term rents or 243 years’ purchase, and 30 per cent on first-term rents or 214 years’ purchase. After a series of exchanges of opinions, the tenantry made their counteroffer—18.5 years’ purchase on second-term rents, and 15.3 years’ purchase on first-term rents, with the inclusion of turbary and name rights.

The tenants believe these terms to be fair, considering that the land is largely composed of inferior cutaway bog. Mr O’Shaughnessy effectively presented and supported the tenants’ claims, using examples to demonstrate that the average purchase price in the county over the past decade has been 16.6 years.

As the meeting concluded without reaching a definitive agreement, further negotiations are expected to continue in the future.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 13 December 1904