Given their association with the terrible years of famine in the 1840s, workhouses in Ireland have few admirers. Yet it is often not realised that they followed a model already introduced in Wales and England where 350 such premises were constructed in the mid-1830s. George Wilkinson was responsible for the design of some of these buildings and following the introduction of legislation in 1838 Ireland’s Poor Law Commissioners appointed him their architect, requesting he devise plans for 130 workhouses here. There is a certain generic quality to Wilkinson’s work, reliant on an interpretation of the Tudor domestic idiom which gives the resultant properties a gentle appearance at odds with their purpose. But they are often handsome, sturdily-constructed buildings and, where still standing, have proven capable of adaption for alternative use. Such is the case in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan where the main block of the old workhouse – completed in 1842 at a cost of £5,000 (plus £977 for fittings) – was restored in 2002 and now provides premises for a variety of local social and educational groups.
Do you know how to get records of former inhabitants of the Castleblaney workhouse (circa early 1900’s)? I have a long-ago relative who was there, and want to find out where she was buried.
Love your site. Thank you.
Thank you for your enquiry. I suggest a good starting point is always the county library: they are a fount of knowledge (and can also helpfully direct you to local historians who may have additional information). Good luck with your search!
The 1901 and 1911 Census.