Case Study: The Deneese Family

One example of a family admitted to the workhouse was the Deneeses. Patrick Deneese first entered the workhouse with his wife and family on 26 January 1885 at the age of 54*, he is described as a labourer and his wife Bridget (32) is described as a servant. In 1885 they had five children - Patrick, Peter, Bella, Mary and Ellen. On this occasion they stayed until 16 February 1885.

Like many others they began a pattern of returning to the workhouse, leaving for a few days or weeks and then returning again. The Deneeses continued to do this until 29 November 1892, at which time they had ten children, the younger children all having been born in the workhouse.

On some occasions Bridget and the children returned without Patrick, presumably as he found work, although in April 1892 a note is made along with his admittance stating that he was lately out of prison. As the children got older Bridget often returned to the workhouse with just the younger ones. At the age of nine Bella was hired out as a servant to a man from Fahan, but she ran away and returned to the workhouse. Patrick junior was hired out to a man from Raphoe, but he also left and returned to the workhouse. At times notes were made saying that Patrick and Peter had been at work along with their father. In total Bridget Deneese's name appeared on the register of admissions 28 times.