Strokestown Workhouse

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The following information was provided by Mr Steve Dolan, Manager of The Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna, Co. Galway

The Strokestown Poor Law Union was officially declared in 1850. The Workhouse was opened in 1852 at a cost of £7,575. It was built to house a maximum capacity of 600 inmates, but census records show that the true number of inmates reached as high as 756 in its fist year of operation. The Strokestown Workhouse was built to accomodate people from the areas of Annagmore, Ballygarden, Bumlin, Cloonfinlough, Cloonyquin, Creeve, Cregga, Elia, Elphin, Kilglass, Killavackan, Killukin, Lissonuffy, Ogulla, Roosky, Rossmore, Strokestown, Tarmonbarry, and Tulsk.

The Strokestown Workhouse was closed in 1920 and demolished shortly afterwards, and all that remains now is an archaeological feature (a mound) which was used as a burial ground.

References

For more information see here

Ireland

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Type of Building:

Workhouse

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I wanted to post this message for the Strokestown Workhouse. My great, great grandmother Catherine McDonnell McCormack gave birth to her son Francis at Strokestown Workhouse on October 4, 1864, which is the year civil registration of Catholic births began. Within a month, sons Thomas and William died at home in Corboghil of scarletina. Catherine was present at their deaths. I have always wondered why she gave birth at the workhouse and if other family members were with her. Obviously they were in Corboghil soon after Francis's birth. Did Catherine bring scarletina home with her? I would appreciate any insights.

Lynne

Sunday 1st March 2020 11:20AM

Lynne

Sunday 1st March 2020 11:21AM

Hi Lynne,

Some of the Union Workhouses served a double purpose as lying-in hospitals, so it is entirely possiblet hat it would have been the norm for local women to go there to give birth.

Have you created Chronicles for Catherine and Francis? We can link them to the building and hopefully connect you with others who have a similar story.

If you need any help doing this, please feel free to contact me at vkelly@irelandxo.com

Many Thanks

Valerie - IrelandXO Team

Chronicles Editor

Monday 2nd March 2020 07:45AM

I wasn't aware that workhouses also served as hospitals. My great-grandfather's younger sister, Jane Donoghoe, was born in the Strokestown Workhouse in 1867. Are workhouse records available from that time? I am curious if the reason my great-great-grandmother was in the workhouse was because of her daughter's birth or because they had nowhere else to go. Her husband, Patrick Donoghoe/Donohoe is listed as being in England at the time of his daughter's birth - I assume he was maybe looking for work. My great-grandfather, Thomas Donoghoe/Donohoe, moved to Manchester, England in the early 1870s, He would have been about 11 when Jane was born, so I have often wondered if he also lived in the workhouse for a while.
My other question relates to the location of the Strokestown Workhouse. I know it was demolished years ago, but was it within the town limits and is there still evidence of where it was?