Cholera in Clones, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, 1834

Extract from a letter dated Feb 2nd 1834, Clones, from Dr. M. Keating, Clones to Dr. Bernard, Ballybay. Taken from Carolan Rushe MSS and published in the Clogher Record "

"Already there are near fifty deaths, scarcely any survivors ...Subscriptions have been sent in from all quarters. Nothing to exceed the consternation…..From forty to fifty families have left Fermanagh St., Shamble St. is also deserted. Our town presents the appearance of having undergone a great siege…..So frightful a scene, I hope in God I may never witness. We distributed a beef cow on Thursday. We are giving the poor now meat and turf, together with blankets and straw. We have a young Doctor Mitchell from Monaghan and one to-day from Cavan of the name of Byrne or Burn, who, I am told, is on the Cavan staff. We are leaving nothing undone. Our visitation has far exceeded yours. ..The deaths have, as you remarked, been confined to the very poor or disipated ..."