This Saturday, 11th February 2023, marks 180 years since the Carrickmacross Workhouse opened its doors in 1843, having been built two years earlier. It was one of 130 Workhouses built throughout Ireland to house the poor and homeless, hence the Irish name Teach na mBocht – The Poorhouse. People had to apply to be admitted into the Workhouse and give up all of their possessions. The Workhouse has since become a widely used community venue thanks to the foresight of Farney Community Development Group Ltd., who took out a longterm lease and brought the front building back from dereliction.
In January 2020, the 6-acre Carrickmacross Workhouse site, including its Famine Graves, returned to community ownership when it was purchased by Monaghan County Council. The Workhouse Visitor Experience is open to everyone from near and far. It is a very emotive tour delivered by local…
