Downpatrick Workhouse

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The Downpatrick Poor Law Union was officially declared in 1840. The Workhouse was opened in 1842 at a cost of £9,623. It was built to house a maximum capacity of 1,000 inmates. The Downpatrick Workhouse was built to accomodate people from the areas of Ardglass, Ardkeen, Ballynahinch, Castlewellan, Clough, Crossgar, Downpatrick, Dundrum, Dunmore, Dunsfort, Hollymount, Inch, Killinchy, Killough, Killyleagh, Kilmore, Leggygowan, Portaferry, Quintin, Raholp, Rossconor, Seaford, Strangford, and Tyrella.

The Downpatrick Workhouse site was repurposed as a hospital, with all of the original buildings being demolised in 2013.

References

	For more information see here	Ireland	VIEW SOURCE
	Public Records of Northern Ireland	Northern Ireland. Great Britain.	VIEW SOURCE

Type of Building:

Workhouse

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Comments

My father was born in Downpatrick Workhouse in Sept 1909. His mother (my granny) was unmarried, and at that time assummed a new surname - changed from Keenan to Irvine. His sister was born there in 1911 and a brother in 1913. They all lived there for nearly 20 years and they all grew up to be great people and raise wonderful families. Before the granny "took to her bed" she burnt all her personal papers, so no info but I have a feeling my father's father was likely of the Protestant faith, fought in WW1, was injured and moved to Canada late about 1926. If anyone has info on day to day life in the Workhouse in the early 1900s please post a message.

royirvine

Friday 10th April 2020 05:40PM

Hello,

Have you uploaded a Chronicle for your Granny? If you need any help here is a link to a video which should explain it step by step.

https://youtu.be/ESPeNSWIjKE

If you're looking for more information on day to day life in the Workhouse then click on the source above that says, 'For More Information See Here'. This will bring you to a website which is an incredible resource for all things about the Workhouses.

All the best

Valerie - IrelandXO Team