Wicklow County Council's Archives Service has launched its latest project, John Tate's Charity, at Rathdrum Library. This project features an exhibition, an archival catalogue, and digital resources that tell the story of the charity, founded as a bequest in the will of John Tate in 1787. The charity's records were donated to Wicklow County Archives by the charity's board of trustees. Remarkably, the charity is still in operation today, providing assistance to third-level students through interest-free loans.
John Tate of Fananierin, Glenmalure, died unmarried in 1787 at the age of 33. He was a member of the landed gentry and, in his short life, extended his holdings to just under 3,000 acres. In his will, he left his interest in 900 acres at Cullentragh to form the basis of his charity, with the stipulation that parishioners of Rathdrum and surrounding areas, regardless of religion, should benefit from its support. Former trustees of the charity included Charles Stewart Parnell and other well-known families, such as the Hayes family, who originally built Avondale, the Actons of Kilmacurragh, and the Guinness family.
While the Tate collection is significant to the history of Rathdrum and County Wicklow, it also holds national historical importance as a notable example of the philanthropic activities of the landed gentry in Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries. This social class is well represented in local authority archive collections, through their activities in local government and their estate papers. However, the records of John Tate’s Charity also offer an insight into the lives and needs of the labouring and poorer classes in County Wicklow and the activities of the charity.
Wicklow County Archives collections include records of the county council and its predecessors, such as the Grand Juries, Boards of Guardians, and Town Commissioners. The Archives also hold the private papers and business archives of the families who administered, lived, and worked in the county. For more information,
https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Arts-Heritage-Archives/Archives
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Paul O’Brien said, “The Tate collection is a valuable addition to the collections of Wicklow County Archives. We are very proud of our County Archives, which tell the story of the development of our communities and the administrations who served them”.
Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District, Cllr. Pat Kennedy, stated: “I am delighted to see the history of Rathdrum explored in this wonderful project, sharing the story and legacy of John Tate’s Charity.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman commented that: “The archival project John Tate’s Charity demonstrates the importance of our County Archives Service as a way to engage with our cultural heritage in a meaningful and immediate way through the power of the archival record”.
The Tate exhibition will be available for viewing in the Rathdrum Library from 14th November until 11th December 2024. The digital resources, including the catalogue can be accessed at https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Arts-Heritage-Archives/Archives/Collections/Archives-Publications-Projects
This project is supported by the Heritage Council through the Heritage Stewardship Fund 2024.