DOI: 10.7925/drs1.ucdlib_256187
title: Diary of Arthur Oram
title: Irish office diary, 1917

description: The 32nd of 33 diaries of John Oram’s son, Arthur Oram, farmer and land agent, County Mayo. Covers the period January–December 1917 with some entries for January 1918 at the end. Arthur's diaries record his day-to-day work on the farm, the management of the land under his care, the management of the animals and crops, the buying and selling of livestock at local markets. Also repairing fences, farm buildings, roads and ensuring their upkeep. The diaries also note the weather for each day, his commitments at the Assizes, attendance at the Petty Sessions and other community work relevant to his social standing. He alludes to his work as an elected representative on the Board of Conservators, his membership of the Drainage Committee and the Railway Committee, the surveying and valuing of land, the advertising and awarding of tenders, and the commissioning and inspection of work carried out in respect of these two committees. Arthur also refers frequently to the difficulty in collecting rents from tenants. The diaries record rents received, name of tenant and amount. He refers to events and milestones reached in his own family, attendance at church and the regular company the Orams kept with their neighbours and extended family. The diaries also make reference to current affairs.
description: Scope and content: Includes: - Refers to extremely heavy snow and snow drifts '… nothing like it on record in these parts' (26 January 1917). - Remarks that there is no post and no trains (27 January 1917). - Refers to the death of Willie [Aukins], the funeral and internment in Newport Presbyterian churchyard. Remarks that he was a Sub Lieutenant of the RNVR (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve), that officers from the RNVR, the Coast Guard, the RIC and Westport Bay Scouts all attended, the latter sounding the last post at his graveside. Observes that the coffin was draped with a Union Jack (19 April 1917). - Remarks that he brought his daughter Emily to the train for an interview at Miss McClelland's Collegiate School at Celbridge and that in the meantime a wire came from Basingstoke asking Emily to accept a vacant post there (2 June 1917). - Remarks that Emily decided to accept the vacant post at Basingstoke and to cancel her interview at Celbridge (4 June 1917). - Refers to a special service at the new Roman Catholic Church at Newport. Remarks that the church bell was donated by Miss Lavelle and that the Bishop blessed it (15 August 1917). - Refers to the engagement of his daughter Isa to Mr W.S. Robertson, Ilkley, Yorkshire (18 September 1917). - Refers to a meeting in Derrada School concerning the Threshing Machine and the formation of a committee, Arthur Oram appointed as Honorary Treasurer (27 September 1917). - Refers to another meeting at Derrada School concerning the Threshing Machine with 27 members paying £1 each (4 October 1917). - Remarks that he attended Newport Rectory to act as a representative for the Glebe's Commission. Reports that the entire premises were carefully assessed (16 October 1917). - Remarks that he heard of James Dick's (Eastfield) death at the front (11 November 1917).