Dr Charles Donnellan - Annaghdown's Famine Doctor
Dr Charles Donnellan was the dispensary doctor responsible for the Annaghdown district through the height of the Great Hunger, during which the population of Annaghdown decreased by 1,593, a reduction of approximately 45%. It is unknown when Dr Donnellan came to Annaghdown, or where he was born. He was responsible for the dispensary from at least 1840, when the Tuam Herald records him attending Catherine Gibbons of Shanbally, who was poisoned with mercury by a quack doctor. He is recorded as residing at Tonagarraun in the Valuation Office field books dated April 1844, and appears to have been living in Winterfield House at this time. He was married on 7 October 1843 at Aughrim to Sarah Eliza Julia Maria Lynch, daughter of Major Lynch of Oatfield House, Aughrim.
A report in the Tuam Herald on 21 March 1846 carries his description of the conditions in Annaghdown: "... that diarrhea and fever are on the increase which he attributes to the unsoundness of the potatoes. Number of patients increased (about 50 a week). A great number of labourers unemployed. Fears this disease will increase."
Having almost made it through Black '47, Dr Donnellan contracted fever in the course of his duties, and died on Christmas Eve. The Tuam Herald of 1 January 1848 carried the notice of his death: 'On the 24th inst., Doctor Charles Donnellan, of Winterfield, Medical Attendant to the Annadown Dispensary'. The deaths of three other doctors were recorded in the same piece: Dr George Seymour, Surgeon to the Kilconnell Dispensary; Francis Bodkin, Apothecary to the Clifden Poor-house; and Dr Edward Lambert of Oranmore. The newspaper stated that all had been 'sacraficed (sic.) to fever, with which they were afflicted during the discharge of their professional duties'. A new doctor was quickly sought, with a notice appearing in the Galway Vindicator of 8 January 1848 stating that a meeting of the subscribers of Annaghdown Dispensary would be held on 13 January, 'for the purpose of electing a Medical Superintendant (sic.) in place of the late lamented and respected Charles Donellan, Esq., M.D. The Medical Gentlemen presenting themselves will present their Certificates of Qualification, and also be prepared to reside in the parish'.
| Additional Information | ||
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| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1806 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 24th Dec 1847 | |
