Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna Photos

The Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna tells the story of the harsh & punitive conditions faced by families who were forced to enter one of Ireland's 163 workhouses, operating from the 1840's to the 1920's, as the only alternative to starvation. As public policy, no relief was provided to destitute families apart from entry into the workhouse, & families were separated upon their admission. A visit to the Irish Workhouse Centre includes a guide who explains the conditions in a workhouse as well as the economic & political conditions in Ireland which allowed the system to develop.

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Irish Workhouse Centre (1852). Portumna, Ireland. Architect: George Wilkinson.	Residents quarters at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Reception Desk at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Faded stenciling at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.

Example of restored stenciling at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	One of many bleak outbuildings at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	View from residence quarters at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Outbuilding at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.

Stone stairway at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Residents' sleeping quarters with rough mattresses on floor shelf at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Matron's desk at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Fireplace in Matron's quarters at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.

Wooden cupboard in Matron's quarters at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Iron frame bed & clothing trunk in Matron's quarters at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Wooden table & chair in Matron's kitchen at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Fireplace & religious art in Matron's quarters at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.

Display of model of Workhouse & items used by residents in museum at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Display of bottles & metal dishes found at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Display of drinking mugs found at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Pieces of leather shoes worn by residents at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.

Leather shoe once worn by resident at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Type of dress & traveling trunk provided to emigrating resident at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Traveling trunk & clothes provided to emigrating resident at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	List of clothing that the Matron would provide to an emigrating resident at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.

Coil of rope used for oakum picking by residents at Irish Workhouse Centre. Portumna, Ireland.	Kettle for boiling laundry. Portumna, Ireland.	Rails used in the moving of heavy laundry. Portumna, Ireland.


See Also:	Western Ireland Area