asked the Minister for Lands if he will state when the Carrabeg and Annagh farms on the Kingston Estate were taken over by the Land Commission; what area of the Annagh farm was tilled during the emergency; what price the Land Commission paid for those lands; when it is intended to have the lands divided amongst the congested tenants in that area; and why the lands of Annagh were not offered to the local congested tenants who would have tilled them during the emergency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kingston Estate (Mayo).
The Kingston Estate, including the lands of Annagh and Carrabeg, was acquired on 1st March, 1941, for an inclusive price of £13,500. A part of the estate has been allocated for afforestation and the balance will be allotted to suitable allottees as soon as circumstances permit.
A high proportion of the lands in hands was let in conacre annually by the Land Commission. In one year (1944) the lands on offer for conacre lettings exceeded local demand and the Land Commission were obliged to undertake direct tillage operations. In 1945, over 30 separate conacre lettings were made.
Statistical information regarding the areas cultivated in individual townlands on the estate is not readily available.