Life and death in the workhouse: a study

I AM currently doing research on the aftermath of the Great Famine for a college project.

The focus of the research is Dunmanway workhouse in Co Cork and its importance to the local community in the years immediately after the famine.

To get an idea of how the workhouse shaped people’s lives, both within it and in the union it served, I’m hoping to trace descendants of any of the workhouse inmates, boards of guardians or staff from this period.

Local trades people were also important to the workhouse, given the large number of tenders for goods such as wool, coffins and food.

I wish to hear from anyone who knows of relatives who may have passed on information – oral or otherwise – regarding their connections with an important element of Dunmanway’s history.

It is possible that someone knows of relatives who may have emigrated either from the workhouse or after leaving it. Any information on where they travelled to, what they did, what they worked at and how they settled into their new life would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps there is information in museums, genealogical societies, etc, which may be relevant.

All suggestions would be welcomed, and I would be happy to acknowledge any help in the final work.

Síle Murphy

53 Oakwood

Macroom

Co Cork

[e-mail]