Local Government Board for Ireland facts for kids

The Local Government Board for Ireland was a special government office in Ireland. It worked with local councils and groups that managed towns and areas. This Board was set up in 1872 and continued until Ireland was divided in 1921–22. This division is known as the Partition of Ireland.

What Was the Local Government Board?

The Local Government Board for Ireland was created by a law in 1872. It was similar to a Board already set up in England and Wales. Its main job was to oversee how local areas in Ireland were run.

Taking Care of Local Needs

When it started, the Board took over important tasks. It managed the "Poor Laws," which helped people who were struggling. It worked with groups called Boards of Guardians in different areas. The Board also looked after how towns and cities were governed. This included working with town commissioners and borough councils.

Where the Board Worked

The main office for the Local Government Board was in the Custom House, Dublin. This is a famous building in Dublin.

Who Was on the Board?

The Board had five members. Two were political members, meaning they held other important government jobs. These were the Chief Secretary for Ireland (who was the president) and the Under-Secretary for Ireland. The other three members were permanent experts. They included a vice-president and a medical commissioner. The medical commissioner was a doctor who helped with public health issues. Usually, the vice-president was in charge when the political members were busy.

Dealing with Local Councils

After a new law in 1898, the Local Government Board started working with new county and district councils. These councils were in charge of local areas. Many of these local councils were controlled by people who wanted Ireland to be independent. They often did not like the Board, seeing it as too controlling and part of the British rule.

The End of the Board

After local elections in 1920, many county and district councils were controlled by Sinn Féin. This was a political party that wanted an independent Irish Republic. These councils decided to ignore the Local Government Board. Instead, they worked with the new "Department of Local Government" of the self-declared Irish Republic. W. T. Cosgrave was the minister in charge of this new department.

Records Destroyed

In May 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, the Custom House was burned out. This was done by the Irish Republican Army. Most of the Local Government Board's important records were destroyed in the fire.

What Happened Next?

After Ireland was divided, the Board's jobs were split up. In Northern Ireland, these tasks went to the Department of Home Affairs in 1921. Later, they moved to the Department of Health and Local Government in 1944.

In the Irish Free State (which later became the Republic of Ireland), the Board's jobs were officially given to the Department of Local Government and Public Health in 1924. Today, its successor, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, is still based in the Custom House.