Congested Districts Board

The Congested Districts Board was a government organization established in Ireland in 1891. Its goal was to assist areas suffering from overcrowding, poverty, and poor land conditions, mainly in the west of Ireland. It worked to improve living standards by funding land reclamation, developing infrastructure, and offering financial aid to small farmers. The Board aimed to reduce congestion—overpopulation and poverty—by making farms more productive and encouraging people to settle in less crowded areas. It played a significant role in rural development during its existence, which lasted until the 1920s.