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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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