Rural District Councils were established under the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898.

This Act abolished the Grand Juries and replaced them with the County Councils and Rural District Councils. The Rural District Councils took over some of the roads and public works functions of the Grand Juries relating to the local area for which they were responsible.

The 1898 Act also reorganised the functions of the Boards of Guardians. The Rural District Councils became responsible for the sanitary functions of the Boards of Guardians in the rural areas and also became responsible for the provision of housing in rural areas. 

 Map showing the Rural District Council Boundaries

The Rural District Councils were not in existence for very long. Under the Free State Government local government in Ireland was reorganised in an attempt to reduce the number of diverse authorities responsible for services. Under the Local Government Act, 1925 the Rural District Councils were themselves abolished and their duties were transferred to the County Councils.

The Minutes of the Meetings of the Rural District Councils are a valuable local record of the period 1899 - 1925 when sanitation and public health improved and developed. The meetings discussed events of local and national significance.

Information on the Rural District Councils and the move to reorganise local government In 1925 can be found in Local Government in Ireland by Desmond Roche. 

Click here to download  Dungarvan Rural District Council Descriptive List (word .doc, 38 kbs)

Click here to download  Kilmacthomas Rural District Council Descriptive List (word .doc, 94 kbs)

Click here to download  Lismore Rural District Council Descriptive List (word .doc, 110 kbs)

Click here to download  Waterford Rural District Council Descriptive List (word .doc, 100 kbs)