Newry and Mourne District Council

9th November 2009

On Thursday 12th November 2009 at 8.00pm, Newry and Mourne Museum will be holding the second lecture in its Autumn Lecture Series. The lecture will focus on the history of workhouses in Counties Down and Armagh and will be given by Dr Ian Maxwell, author of several articles on Irish workhouses and a number of books on ancestral research including How to Trace Your Irish Ancestors.

Workhouses were established in Ireland from 1838 onwards to deal with the country’s social problems and were built in a number of towns in Down and Armagh including Daisy Hill in Newry which covered south Armagh, part of south Down and Omeath. Dr Maxwell will explore the development of these institutions from their important role during the Great Famine and impact on Irish society to their eventual closure in the late 1940s with the introduction of the National Health Service.

The workhouse is still within living memory for many older people and the lecture will also examine the vital importance of workhouse records to local and family history research.

“Workhouses were part of the fabric of Irish society for over a century and this lecture will be a great opportunity to learn more about the history of local examples” says Aisleain McGill, Assistant Director of Culture, Arts, Irish Language and Ulster Scots. “The lecture, given by someone who has spent many years researching workhouse records, will be of value to many people, especially those interested in local and family history”.

There is an admission charge of £5 for this lecture. If you wish to book or require further information, please contact the Museum at 028 30313182, 30313178 or 30313175 or email museum@newryandmourne.gov.uk


Newry and Mourne Museum is open to the public seven days a week with admission free of charge. For opening hours, information on events and exhibitions, other services and bookings please phone 028 3031 3178 or visit www.bagenalscastle.com