The unadorned stone Donaghmore Workhouse was a last resort for the destitute in the 1850s. Conditions were intentionally grim, the idea being that if things were especially bad, the poor wouldn't stick around. They didn't, as scores died in the harsh conditions. Today the remaining buildings hold a collection of simple displays that detail this cruel story.
A sign near the entrance notes: 'By the time the Donaghmore Workhouse opened in 1853, most of the poor of the area had already perished from starvation or sickness or had emigrated.'
Overcrowding was rife, families were separated (often for good), meals (no more than a bowl of gruel) were taken in silence, toilets were crude and bedding was limited. The loss of dignity that came with entering the workhouse was a tragic reality for many.
