What is recorded here

Union Workhouse stands in County Cork as a ruined rectangle where two leaning buildings still face across a stone-choked stream. It served as a hospital until flames consumed it in 1921, transforming relief into loss and forcing nearby people to abandon rooms that had already witnessed suffering. The eastern burial ground remains attached to the wall, suggesting that some despair went so deep it required the earth itself to receive it.

Defined by wall, enclosing sub-rectangular area (170m NE-SW; 190m NW-SE); divided by stream flowing NW-SE; entrance gate to W. Remains of two 2-storey structures survive built at right angles to each other and divided by a stone-faced stream channel. Burial ground (CO139-040002-) abuts enclosure to E. Functioned as hospital until it was burnt in 1921. (Somerville-Large 1972, 111) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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