THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY OF THE ARAN ISLANDS COUNTY GAL WAY IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY

Abstract

The economy and society of the Aran Islands can be explored in a manner not possible for many areas of Ireland in the pre-Famine period because of the rare survival of their 1821 census enumerator's book. Analysis of this detailed source reveals that the islands had a close-knit supportive society and that their economy was based largely upon agriculture, fishing and kelpmaking. There is evidence from the census and contemporary reports to suggest that this economy was becoming more commercial through links with the neighbouring counties of Clare and Galway. However, there is also evidence of marginality in the economy because of population pressure and agricultural problems and in the year following the 1821 census the economy failed and the islands were subject to a famine that necessitated relief from outside