Swinford Workhouse

Swinford workhouse was suituated on the Dublin Road, at the site of the present day District hospital.6 acres of land was acquired by Mr. Joseph Burke from Sir William Brabazon for an annual rent of £18.Estimated cost of building was £7100.There were 8 seperate wards- Men and women that were sick- Abled bodied men and women over 15 years old- Boys and girls between 7 and 15 years old- Travellers and homeless people.In 1851 a censor record showed that 942 people still lived there.Only the facade of the Workhouse remains today as the front of Swinford District Hospital

The Great Famine

1838 - Swinford Poor Law Union1840 - Land rented for £18 per year1846 - Offically opened1845 -The Great Famine Begins1851 - Famine ends1926 - Last inmates transferred to Castlebar County home

As the effects of the Great Famine took hold and people flocked to the workhouse looking for shelter and help. These were mainly families that had been evicted from their homestead by their landlords. Many died before making it to the gates. As the situation worsened Swinford Workhouse had temporary wards and fever shedfs built to house a further 260 people. Poor diet and overcrowding in the workhouse led to the rapid spread of diseases such as typoid and fever.

Famine Graves

Hundreds of people were dying faster than anyone could bury them so sadly they were buried in a Mass Grave behind the workhouse. In recent times a plaque has been errected in memory of the 564 victims of the famine buried there.

Queuing for the Workhouse

The Union Workhouse Swinford

The history of Swinford Workhouse

Timeline

Inside a Workhouse in Birr