Artefacts recalling the Great Famine at Newry and Mourne Museum

We continue our series of articles on the contents of some of the display cases in the Museum by looking at artefacts on display reflecting the impact of the Great Famine in the area. 

On display in Newry and Mourne Museum is a collection of artefacts relating to the economic hardships in the local area during the 19^th century. These hardships were particularly tough during Irish famine from 1845 -1852.  The artefacts give an insight into how people were affected and the changes Famine brought about on the Newry and Mourne area.

One of the artefacts is a letter from 1847 written to Lady Garvagh, a local landowner from her land agent, Samuel Reid, concerning the impact of the Great Famine on her estates.  As a result of the Famine many people had to give up their property, and on display, is a notice of surrender for property in Warrenpoint from 1852.  A tenant was required to sign a notice of surrender by the landlord or land agent when leaving the property.

As a response to the hardships the Poor Rate was established by an Act of Parliament “for the more effectual relief of the destitute poor in Ireland” in July 1838.  A poster on display sets out the amount of the Poor Rate to be paid in each electoral division in the Kilkeel Union.  The Poor Rate was paid by landholders to finance workhouses and poor relief in the 19^th century.  A book, which is also on display, shows the Poor Rate paid by landholders in the Mullartown electoral division of Kilkeel Union in June 1854.

Two workhouses established in the area at this time were Kilkeel Workhouse and Newry Workhouse; a seal from Kilkeel and a key from Newry Workhouse are on display in the Museum. 

Newry Union Workhouse built in 1841 on the site of what is now Daisy Hill Hospital and was run by a Board of Guardians. When admitted, people were known as ‘inmates’ and worked breaking stones or tending to the sick for up to ten hours a day, six days a week. Children were given some basic education, families were separated, food was limited, and discipline was strict.

The architect George Wilkinson was commissioned to build Kilkeel Workhouse in 1840.  Located on Newry Street, the building was designed to accommodate three hundred paupers.   The first inmates arrived at Kilkeel Workhouse on 1^st September 1841.  The Famine had an impact on the Workhouse, leading to an increase in the number of the starving poor, but also accompanying fever cases.  In 1847 a temporary fever hospital was built. Death rates were very high and land around the workhouse was used for burials.

Throughout this era there was a period of mass emigration as people fled Ireland Australia, United States and Canada. The journey was often treacherous with lots of people dying on the journey from illnesses picked up on the ship.   On display is a poster from 1847 advertising the Lady Caroline which set sail from Warrenpoint to St John, New Brunswick in Canada on 4^th June 1847.  The ship was commanded by J Maloney and tickets were sold by Francis Carvill, an agent who had an office on Sugar Island, Newry. Descendants of those on the journey still live in New Brunswick today.  The poster advertised “This fine ship will be found in breadstuff, water and fuel” indicating the food that will be served on the ship.  The poster was printed by R Allen in May 1847.  The Museum is very fortunate in having such a poster in the Collection. Posters of this nature were printed on very low quality paper and very few have survived.

The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422. 

Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.

Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk

CAPTIONS FOR IMAGES:

Image 1

Poster advertising the sailing of the Lady Caroline to Canada in 1847. Very few such posters have survived. 

Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

Image 2

Key used in Newry Workhouse.

Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

Image 3

Seal used on letters and official documents in Kilkeel Workhouse.

Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

Image 4 

Poster advertising Poor Law rates for Kilkeel Union in 1878.

Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

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