Building the Workhouse

Carlow Town Centre Map

Detail from a pre-ordnance survey map of Municipal Boundary changes in Carlow Town, executed by Thomas A. Larcom, Lieut Royal Engineers. It accompanies a "Report upon the proposed municipal Boundary of Carlow" by Thomas R. Mould. This detail shows Carlow Goal, R.C. Cathedral (R.C. Chapel), Courthouse, St Patrick's College and Lunatic Asylum. Workhouse site is marked on the map with an X, beside land owned by Mr. Carey. The Kilkenny Road is shown close to the workhouse site and the River Barrow can be seen on the other side of the Kilkenny Road.

Carlow Town Centre Map

Carlow Town Centre Map

Detail from a pre-ordnance survey map of Municipal Boundary changes in Carlow Town, executed by Thomas A. Larcom, Lieut Royal Engineers. It accompanies a "Report upon the proposed municipal Boundary of Carlow" by Thomas R. Mould. This detail shows Carlow Goal, R.C. Cathedral (R.C. Chapel), Courthouse, St Patrick's College and Lunatic Asylum. Workhouse site is marked on the map with an X, beside land owned by Mr. Carey. The Kilkenny Road is shown close to the workhouse site and the River Barrow can be seen on the other side of the Kilkenny Road.

Enlarge image

The Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, Mr. Muggeridge, announced in July 1840 that he was ready to receive proposals for a Workhouse site in or near the town of Carlow. The title to the land should be clear and the demand or price neither "exorbitant or extravagant". The site should measure "from four to six Irish acres".

The Government proposed to advance £10,000 for the erection of Workhouses repayable by 20 annual instalments commencing one year after the opening of the Workhouse.

The Carlow Union borrowed £11,500 for the erection of the Workhouse. A site measuring 7 acres 2 roods and 19 perches on the Kilkenny Road was purchased from Robert Bailey for £1,040.

Although the Union was set up on September 21st 1840 the contract for the building of the workhouse was not signed until 12th October 1841. The contract amounted to a sum of £9,000. The completion date for the Workhouse was 12th June 1842 but there were a number of delays and it did not open for business until 1844.