This gallery features images and documents relating to the Great Famine, 1845-1850. The Inishowen Union Workhouse was located in Carndonagh, on the site of what is now the Carndonagh Hospital, with the Famine Graveyard preserved on the right hand side of the entrance. The Brachán House on the Carn-Malin road was visited by people who had fallen on hard times to receive portions of meal to fend off starvation. More information on the Famine can be found under the Famine category in the menu.
Workhouse Drawing
Staff and InmateMembers of staff and an inmate at the entrance to the workhouse.
Inishowen District CouncilMembers of the Inishowen District Council who were elected in June 1920 following the formation of Dáil Éireann the previous year. The photograph was taken afer the first meeting of the Council at which it had been decided to recognise Dáil Éireann as the legitimate government of the country.
Front L-R: Bradley, Desertegney; Kavanagh, Sledrin; Roberty Doherty, Fawn, Malin; Patrick Quigley, Ballyliffin; Edward Doherty, Ballyloskey; Dan Mc Mullin, Mossy Glen.
Middle Row L-R: Frank O'Connor, the Illies; E. Smith, Ourt, Culdaff; Willie Mc Kinney, Bootagh, Culdaff; P. H. O'Doherty, Carndonagh, Chairman of the District Council; J. Ruddy, Clonmany; Patrick Canny, Gortinney; Edward O'Donnell, assistant clerk.
Back row, L-R: Patrick Mc Callion, Malin, chairman of the Board of Guardians; Brian Douglas, Magheramore; Mc Gonagle, Clonmany; James McSheffrey, Redcastle; Dan O'Kane, Clar, Moville; M. Quigley, Workhouse Master; Robert Moore, Clerk of the District Council and Board of Guardians.
Front L-R: Bradley, Desertegney; Kavanagh, Sledrin; Roberty Doherty, Fawn, Malin; Patrick Quigley, Ballyliffin; Edward Doherty, Ballyloskey; Dan Mc Mullin, Mossy Glen.
Middle Row L-R: Frank O'Connor, the Illies; E. Smith, Ourt, Culdaff; Willie Mc Kinney, Bootagh, Culdaff; P. H. O'Doherty, Carndonagh, Chairman of the District Council; J. Ruddy, Clonmany; Patrick Canny, Gortinney; Edward O'Donnell, assistant clerk.
Back row, L-R: Patrick Mc Callion, Malin, chairman of the Board of Guardians; Brian Douglas, Magheramore; Mc Gonagle, Clonmany; James McSheffrey, Redcastle; Dan O'Kane, Clar, Moville; M. Quigley, Workhouse Master; Robert Moore, Clerk of the District Council and Board of Guardians.
Workhouse PlanOriginal plans for the workhouse showing separate yards and dormitories for the boys, girls, men and women, infirmaries, school rooms, 'idiot ward' and board room.
Board of Guardians 1920
Inishowen District CouncilThe members of the Inishowen District Council outside O'Doherty's Hotel.
Report on a meeting of the Inishowen Board of Guardians, 1914'The weekly meeting of the Inishowen Board of Guardians was held on Monday. Mr. Wm. J. I'Donnell presiding, and afterwards Mr. John SCott (chairman). There were also present - Messrs. John Cavanagh, J.P. Patrick McGrory, Philip Kearney, John Smith, Patk. Mc Conalogue, J. P., Patrick Kavangh, Patk. Porter, Bernard McRory, Edward Kearney, Ptrick J. Cole, Daniel McCarron, William Quigley, Charles McColgan, Patrick Hegarty, James Doherty, James P. McIvor, Denis Diver, Patrick Devlin, Patrick Mc Laughlin, John Doherty, Anthony Canny, J. P., and Daniel Douglas.
The Local Government Board forwarded extracts from the reports of the medical officers relating to the Carndonagh and Clonmany dispensary districts for the half-year ended 30th September last. In his report, the medical officer of Carndonagh said - 'The poor of the district requisition the services of the midwife, but she is over the allotted span of life, and I think a younger and more active lady would better suit the requirements of the district. She has been a faithful servant, and deserves to be well treated by the Guardians."
The medical officer of Clonmany reported: "The dispensary building is small."
On the motion of Mr. Cole, seconded by Mr. O'Donnell, it was decided to give the midwife two weeks to resign.
No action was taken in regard to the Clonmany report.
Three tenders for providing premises for the Moville Dispensary were referred to the local committee.'
The Local Government Board forwarded extracts from the reports of the medical officers relating to the Carndonagh and Clonmany dispensary districts for the half-year ended 30th September last. In his report, the medical officer of Carndonagh said - 'The poor of the district requisition the services of the midwife, but she is over the allotted span of life, and I think a younger and more active lady would better suit the requirements of the district. She has been a faithful servant, and deserves to be well treated by the Guardians."
The medical officer of Clonmany reported: "The dispensary building is small."
On the motion of Mr. Cole, seconded by Mr. O'Donnell, it was decided to give the midwife two weeks to resign.
No action was taken in regard to the Clonmany report.
Three tenders for providing premises for the Moville Dispensary were referred to the local committee.'
Board of Guardians
Workhouse Diary, 1881This is page from the Inishowen Union diary of Neal Nelson, Relieving Officer of the Carndonagh District, Week Commencing 23rd of June, 1881.
Monday 23rd - Attended at Workhouse with Books.
Tuesday 24th - Attended at Carndonagh to receive applications for outdoor relief.
Wednesday 25th - Attended at Malin Town to receive applications for outdoor relief.
Thursday 26th - Visited Keenaglug, Milltown and Tullyarb.
Friday 27th - Visited Drimdoo, Foden and Hillhead.
Saturday 28th - Visited Gortayarn, Trembawn and Craigtown.
Monday 23rd - Attended at Workhouse with Books.
Tuesday 24th - Attended at Carndonagh to receive applications for outdoor relief.
Wednesday 25th - Attended at Malin Town to receive applications for outdoor relief.
Thursday 26th - Visited Keenaglug, Milltown and Tullyarb.
Friday 27th - Visited Drimdoo, Foden and Hillhead.
Saturday 28th - Visited Gortayarn, Trembawn and Craigtown.
Notes on the Inishowen Workhouse
The Flying Column, 1922The Flying Column standing to attention at the front of the workhouse in 1922.
Flying Column At EaseThe men of the Flying Column at ease outside the workhouse, with a cow.
Workhouse, 1945Rear view of the Workhouse, 1945
9 Easter Sunday in the Workhouse 1869
Famine CommemorationAn article from local press on the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the Brachan House, the site of a food distribution centre during the Famine.
L-R: Colr. Dennis McGonagle, Liam Ronayne, Cecilia Keaveney TD, Albert Doherty (Chairman, Historical Monuments Group), and Gabriel Duffy (Historical Monuments Group). Kneeling: Jimmy Mc Bride.
L-R: Colr. Dennis McGonagle, Liam Ronayne, Cecilia Keaveney TD, Albert Doherty (Chairman, Historical Monuments Group), and Gabriel Duffy (Historical Monuments Group). Kneeling: Jimmy Mc Bride.
Workhouse Map c1900The Workhouse on an OS Map c. 1900.
The Famine Graveyard
The Famine GraveyardThe entrance to the Famine Graveyard in the grounds of the hospital.
The Famine GraveyardThis plaque is erected on the gate of the Famine Graveyard in the grounds of the Carndonagh Hospital, on the right of the entrance.
Inishowen Workhouse Memorial StoneThis stone, located inside left of the entrance to Carndonagh hospital, marks the site of the Inishowen Union Workhouse.
The Brachán HouseThe Brachán House on the Carn to Malin Road was a....
Famine Brachan Graveyard-5The memorial to the famine in Inishowen at the Brachán House, marking the site where Indian meal was distributed to relieve the suffering and starvation in the area.
Brachán House potThe large pot was used to serve meal to members of the local community who were badly hit by the famine.