Donaghmore, County Laois
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| Donaghmore An Domhnach Mór |
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| Location | ||
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Leinster | |
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| County: | County Laois | |
| Elevation: | 1m | |
| Population (2006) - Town: - Environs: |
1 1 |
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Donaghmore (An Domhnach Mór in Irish) is a small village in County Laois in Ireland.
It is located in the south of the county near Rathdowney on the main R435 regional road, on the River Erkina, a tributary of the Nore.
[edit] The Workhouse
Donaghmore Workhouse was opened in 1853 to house the most impoverished and desperate people in County Laois. It was made as unattractive as possible, so that only those who had “lost all hope” would burden the taxpayer.
Once inside, the inmates had to give up their personal clothing and don rough workhouse uniforms. Families were split up; males from females, children from their parents. The inmates were divided into seven different categories:
- Elderly men, elderly women
- Able-bodied men and boys older than 13 years
- Able-bodied women and girls older than 16 years
- Boys 7 to 13
- Girls 7 to 16
- Children under 7
Once inside, the poor slept on mattresses of straw and rags; toilets were large tubs in the dormitories. Inmates worked during the day and then were fed. Meals were eaten in total silence.
When Donaghmore Workhouse opened most of the poor of the County had already perished from starvation or emigrated. It is thought the Workhouse was only full for a few years prior to its closure in 1886. Ref:[1]
