The Kells Poor Law Union was officially declared in 1839. The Workhouse was opened in 1842 at a cost of £6,909. It was built to house a maximum capacity of 600 inmates. The Kells Workhouse was built to accomodate people from the areas of Burry, Dulane, Felltown, Girley, Kells, Kilbeg, Kilmainham, Kilskeer, Moynalty, Nobber, and Rathmore in Co. Meath, Mullagh in Co. Cavan, and Clonmellon in Co. Westmeath.
In 1870 there were issues in Co. Meath when the Duke of Leinster began a system of evicting Irish tennants in order to give their homes to English people. As a result of this, British forces were sent to Ireland to keep the peace, but since no provisions were made to house the soldiers, they were forced to camp temporarily.
The Kells Workhouse was cmpletely demolished in the 1960's. None of the original buildings now remain and the site is now occuspied by housing.
References
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For more information see here | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
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County Meath Local History Resources | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
