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Notice requesting tenders for supply
Notice issued by Letterkenny Board of Guardians stating that tenders are sought for the supply of goods such as bread and meat to Letterkenny Union Workhouse. Signed by Union Clerk, John Storey.
Copyright of Donegal County Archives. No reproduction without permission
Image is present on following page(s): Financial Records, Role of the Boards of Guardians, Financial Records, Role of the Boards of Guardians
Notice requesting tenders for supply -
Young Pauper
This illustration of the young pauper girl in Cork is just one example of the many poor children who grew up in poverty on the streets of Cork. She is possibly an orphan, or the daughter of a widowed lady who is struggling with the upkeep of her children and herself in times of need. For many children like her, an application would have been made to the commissioners, to enter the poorhouse to earn a little food for her and her family. However, the unions became increasingly aware of how the poorhouse was not helping the poor out of poverty in the long term, but merely aiding them through the bad times. For his reason they began to send young paupers on apprenticeships, where they would learn a trade that would help them survive when they left the workhouse. In other instances young paupers were helped emigrate to America or Canada, where they would stand a better chance of surviving.
Image is present on following page(s): The Records of the Guardians, The Records of the Guardians
Young Pauper -
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - Area Map Image
This map shows the area of the Poor Law Union with the towns and villages indicated. The workhouse, fever hospital and graveyard were located at Ballinlough, 2 km. south-east of Dunshaughlin village. The location of two soup kitchens is shown, one at the Hamwood estate outside Dunboyne and one at Johnstown on the Dublin road outside Dunshaughlin. Ballygortagh, Moynalvy is also shown where the potato crop reputedly did not fail and where famine graves are located. Public works undertaken included building a wall at the Summerseat estate at Clonee.
©Meath County Council
Image is present on following page(s): The Union, The Workhouse in Dunshaughlin, The Workhouse in Dunshaughlin, The Union
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - Area Map Image -
The Famine in Mayo 1845-1850 (Mayo Co.)
The Famine in Mayo 1845-1850 (Mayo Co.)The book, The Famine in Mayo 1845-1850: A Portrait from Contemporary Sources was published in 1998 by Mayo County Library for Mayo County Council to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine. It contains contemporary newspaper articles, extracts from official reports, eyewitness accounts on the impact of the potato famine in County Mayo.
Image is present on following page(s): Records, Records
The Famine in Mayo 1845-1850 (Mayo Co.) -
Sick and Dying in the Workhouse
This is an engraving that was used in The Illustrated London News in 1846. It shows the interiors of the workhouse with the sick and the dying lying on the beds, as the women and children look on. http://adminstaff.vassar.edu/sttaylor/FAMINE/index.html
Views of the Famine: Vassar College NY USA
Image is present on following page(s): The Records of the Guardians, The Records of the Guardians
Sick and Dying in the Workhouse -
Milford Infirmary
Black and white photograph of Milford infirmary which was attached to Milford workhouse. Taken from Alistair Rowans, Buildings of Ireland.
Copyright: Alistiar Rowan, Buildings of Ireland
Image is present on following page(s): Managing the Union, Dispensaries and Infirmaries, Managing the Union, Dispensaries and Infirmaries
Milford Infirmary -
Seasonal Labour Force
This is an engraving that was used in The Illustrated London News during the famine in Ireland. It depicts a group of Irish peasants en route to England for seasonal harvest work. http://adminstaff.vassar.edu/sttaylor/FAMINE/index.html
Views of the Famine: Vassar College NY USA
Image is present on following page(s): The Records of the Guardians, The Records of the Guardians
Seasonal Labour Force -
Dunshaughlin Workhouse - Front View
The Dunshaughlin workhouse survives to the present day with it's original appearance. It was built in the Gothic revival style of the mid nineteenth century with pointed windows and diamond shaped panes of glass. In front are the railings, entrance gate and name plate. The front faces directly onto the Dublin road and the building is now a bed and breakfast guesthouse.
©Meath County Council
Image is present on following page(s): The Commissioners, The Workhouse in Dunshaughlin, The Workhouse in Dunshaughlin, The Commissioners
Dunshaughlin Workhouse - Front View -
Raymond Gillespie, author of the Poor Law Union feature
Raymond Gillespie is from Belfast and was educated at Queen's University Belfsat and Trinity College, Dublin. He is currently senior lecturer in the Department of Modern History, NUI Maynooth. His principal reserach interests are in the seventeenth century and he has written widely on social and economic change in seventeenth century Ireland.
Image is present on following page(s): Social Change: The Workhouses, Poor Law Unions and their Records
Raymond Gillespie, author of the Poor Law Union feature -
Map of Milford, pre-1838
First edition OS Map showing the town of Milford, before the building of the workhouse began. The site where the workhouse was built is also included at the bottom right-hand corner of the map.
Image is present on following page(s): The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union, The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union
Map of Milford, pre-1838 -
Carlow Union Workhouse
Carlow Union Workhouse was constructed in the years c1842-1844 on a site on the Kilkenny Road, Carlow. It was designed to accommodate 800 inmates and cost £9,000 to build. It was demolished in the 1960's. This photograph was taken by Jim Banbury for the Office of Public Works c.1955.
Dept of the Environment & Local Government Photographic Unit
Image is present on following page(s): Carlow Poor Law Union, Carlow Poor Law Union
Carlow Union Workhouse -
Soup Depot, Cork
This is an engraving that was used in The Illustrated London News 13 March, 1847. It shows a crowd at the central soup depot on Barrack Street in Cork during the famine. This depot was the first establishment of the kind opened in Ireland for the distribution of food to the poor. It is believed that approximately 1300 poor persons were relieved here daily. http://adminstaff.vassar.edu/sttaylor/FAMINE/index.html
Views of the Famine: Vassar College NY USA
Image is present on following page(s): Financial Records, Financial Records
Soup Depot, Cork -
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 16.10.1847 - Inmate Pay for Cleaning
The inmates of the house refused to clean the privies and were not obliged to do so. The Master was authorised to employ some persons and pay them 10 shillings or 63 cent for this cleaning task. This is an infrequent illustration of the inmates wielding some control on their day to day routine.
Image is present on following page(s): Managing the Union, Discipline, Managing the Union, Discipline
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 16.10.1847 - Inmate Pay for Cleaning -
Map of Milford Union, towns and electoral divisions
Portion of 1847 map of the Commissioners of Public Works, for County Donegal, showing Milford Union its towns and electoral divisions. Scale 1:253,440
Image is present on following page(s): The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union, The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union
Map of Milford Union, towns and electoral divisions -
Map of the Poor Law Unions of County Donegal
Map showing the way in which Donegal was divided up into Poor Law Unions. Milford Union has been shaded in.
Image is present on following page(s): The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union, The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union
Map of the Poor Law Unions of County Donegal -
Digging for Potatoes during Irish Famine
A Woman digs for potatoes in vain during the Irish Famine c1845-1849. The Potato Crop was totally devastated during these years due to a virulent disease in the potato. Members of the family look on in despair or search the earth with bare hand in hope of finding a healthy crop. The first outbreak of the disease in the potato crop was first reported in County Carlow September 1845. This illustration is taken from the Illustrated London News 1849.
Carlow County Library
Image is present on following page(s): Carlow Workhouse and the Famine, Carlow Workhouse and the Famine
Digging for Potatoes during Irish Famine -
State of the workhouse, Minutes (a)
Letter quoted in minutes of Milford board of guardians from George Wilkinson, Poor Law Architect. Letter deals with the condition of the workhouse building and Wilkinson states that only plaster and dash could stop the damp. He believed the cost of the plaster would be no more than £100.
Copyright of Donegal County Archives. No reproduction without permission
Image is present on following page(s): Records, Problems with Contractors, Records, Problems with Contractors
State of the workhouse, Minutes (a) -
Bodyke Evictions (Clare Co.)
The land war began in the early 1880's, when tenants began agitating for fair treatment and land rights. This image is taken from the Bodyke evictions in Co. Clare where one of the most important landwars in the country took place. These evictions and the stand that the community took against them assisted in the downfall of the landlord system in Ireland.
Image is present on following page(s): Board of Guardians, Board of Guardians
Bodyke Evictions (Clare Co.) -
Education of children in the workhouse
Extract from the visiting committee's book detailing their responses to various set questions about the running of the workhouse, with comments on the education the children in the workhouse are receiving.
Copyright of Donegal County Archives Service. No reproduction without permission
Image is present on following page(s): Running the Union, Work in the Workhouse, Running the Union, Work in the Workhouse
Education of children in the workhouse -
Milford Statistics
Extract from the minutes of Milford Workhouse with answers to a set of question about acreage and land-holding patterns in Milford.
Copyright of Donegal County Archives Service. No reproduction without permission
Image is present on following page(s): Financial Records, The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union, The Poor Law in Donegal: Milford Union, Financial Records
Milford Statistics -
Queen Victoria
Here is a portrait of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria’s reign lasted from 1837 to 1901. Whilst the Victorian Age was an era of new reform, and tremendous achievements and awakenings, it was also a time of extreme poverty for the working class, who endured such harsh and vulnerable conditions. In Ireland, the Victorian era was overshadowed by the famine in the 1840’s and later in the 1880’s. During this time poor law unions were established to try to solve the problems that were encountered. Workhouses were erected in towns across the land to help the poor in times of need.
Image is present on following page(s): Conclusion and Further Reading, Conclusion and Further Reading
Queen Victoria -
Advertisement for the position of Union Clerk
Advertisement placed in the Londonderry Journal looking for people interested in applying for the position of Union Clerk.
Copyright managed by the Library Council
Image is present on following page(s): Running the Union, Employees of the Workhouse, Running the Union, Employees of the Workhouse
Advertisement for the position of Union Clerk -
Outdoor Relief Register (extract 1)
Extract from an outdoor relief register from Milford Union giving details such as name, date of relief, sex, age, employment or calling, married or single, name of wife or husband, number of children, electoral division and townland in which resident at the time they began to receive relief.
Copyright of Donegal County Archives Service. No reproduction without permission
Image is present on following page(s): Managing the Union, Outdoor Relief, Managing the Union, Outdoor Relief
Outdoor Relief Register (extract 1) -
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 02.08.1842 - Ball Disciplined
The Master, Mr Ball, did not always give satisfactory service. At the meeting of the 2nd of August, 1842 the Guardians express their annoyance with the master who was inept at keeping his provisions accounts in order. He had also recently left 57 children without buttermilk for their evening meal, which had happened before. The Board condemns Mr Ball's "gross neglect and inattention."
Image is present on following page(s): Managing the Union, Managing the Union
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 02.08.1842 - Ball Disciplined -
Master and Matron of the Workhouse Image
Minutes of a meeting of the board of guardians where it was resolved that a married couple would be preferred for the offices of master and matron of the workhouse, and that a notice be placed in the newspaper requesting applications for the positions.
Copyright of Donegal County Archives Service. No reproduction without permission
Image is present on following page(s): Running the Union, Employees of the Workhouse, Running the Union, Employees of the Workhouse
Master and Matron of the Workhouse Image -
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 06.11.1847 - School Inspection
A school master and school mistress were employed to teach the children in the workhouse schools. Inspectors from the National Board of Education visited the schools. This extract is from their report of November 1847.
Image is present on following page(s): Managing the Union, Care of the Inmates - Religion - Education, Managing the Union, Care of the Inmates - Religion - Education
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 06.11.1847 - School Inspection -
Sentinel - Clerk Appointed 12th Dec 1840
Extract from "The Carlow Sentinel" regarding the appointment of a Clerk to the Carlow Poor Law Union on December 12th 1840. On that first appointment, there were three candidates for office. Of these Robert Davies was appointed Clerk. Another candidate, Henry Montgomery declined to give up all his time to the Office. Davies continued in office until 1849.
Carlow County Library
Image is present on following page(s): Staffing the Workhouse, Staffing the Workhouse
Sentinel - Clerk Appointed 12th Dec 1840 -
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 29.11.1841- Co-clergy
The majority of paupers in the house were Roman Catholics and had a chaplain to look after their spiritual welfare. There were only two Protestants, not from the Union, in the house. The salary of a Protestant chaplain for only two people was considered an unnecessary expense. The Guardians suggested sending the two to religious services in Dunshaughlin. The Commissioners rejected this suggestion and instructed the Guardians to employ the chaplain until there was no Protestant inmate remaining in the house.
Image is present on following page(s): Running the Union, Running the Union
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 29.11.1841- Co-clergy -
At the gate of the workhouse, 1846
This is an engraving that was used in The Illustrated London News in 1846. It depicts a crowd of poor people gathered outside the gates of a workhouse, waiting desperately, in the hope that they will be accepted into the workhouse. The demand for poor relief during these famine years was very high, and as was the case in this instance, the workhouses were often completely full. http://adminstaff.vassar.edu/sttaylor/FAMINE/index.html
Views of the Famine: Vassar College NY USA
Image is present on following page(s): The Establishment of the Poor Law System, The Establishment of the Poor Law System
At the gate of the workhouse, 1846 -
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 10.02.1849 - Emigrant
The Colonial Land Emigration Office in Westminster granted free passage to families of people who had been transported to New South Wales. Bridget Smith from Dunshaughlin was offered this passage and the clothing she was required to have is listed here. The Guardians applied for permission to provide this outfit from Union funds. The following week they received permission to provide Mrs Smith and her children with the necessary clothing.
Copyright managed by the Library Council
Image is present on following page(s): Running the Union, Dunshaughlin - The First Ten Years, Running the Union, Dunshaughlin - The First Ten Years
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 10.02.1849 - Emigrant -
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 27.06.1846 - Discipline Measures
The Guardians responded somewhat harshly to two discipline issues reported by the Master in June 1846.One father was to be apprehended for deserting his children in the workhouse. A warrant was to be put out for a mother who did not return from burying her child. Possibly she was wearing clothes owned by the Guardians and was liable to a charge of theft is she did not return.
Image is present on following page(s): Managing the Union, Rules and Regulations, Managing the Union, Rules and Regulations
Dunshaughlin Poor Law Union - 27.06.1846 - Discipline Measures -
Dail Eireanns response to the proposed meeting to amalgamate the County Donegal Boards of Guardians
Letter from Dail Eireann stating that the proposed resolution to be discussed at a meeting in Lifford regarding the amalgamation of the workhouses might be regarded as a step in the right direction.
Copyright of Donegal County Archives. No reproduction without permission.
Image is present on following page(s): The Establishment of the Poor Law System, Abolition of the Boards of Guardians, The Establishment of the Poor Law System, Abolition of the Boards of Guardians
Dail Eireanns response to the proposed meeting to amalgamate the County Donegal Boards of Guardians