Survey Data
Reg No
40852075
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Ballyshannon Union Workhouse
Original Use
Workhouse administration block
In Use As
Office
Date
1840 - 1845
Coordinates
187537, 361138
Date Recorded
23/10/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey former workhouse administration block with attic storey, dated 1842, built on H-shaped plan having slightly advanced gabled bays to either end of the main elevation (north) and advanced gabled projections to the rear (south) elevation, and with three gablets over the central bays of the main elevation. Later in use as offices, now out of use. Pitched artificial slate roofs with blue-black clay ridge tiles, two decorative redbrick chimneystacks with projecting cut limestone stringcourses and cut stone coping, and having raised cut limestone verges to gable ends (both front and rear) with moulded limestone stone kneeler stones at eaves level. Raised limestone coping over gablets to centre of main elevation at first floor level; moulded kneeler stones above eaves level. Replacement rainwater goods on exposed rafter ends. Tooled snecked dressed squared limestone construction to main elevation (north) over chamfered ashlar limestone plinth course and with moulded limestone stringcourse between ground and first floor levels; roughly coursed squared rubble stone construction to other elevations. Flush tooled limestone quoins to the corners. Square-headed window openings to main elevation (north) having chamfered ashlar limestone surrounds and chamfered limestone sills, roughly dressed and squared limestone surrounds to other elevations. Fixed-pane timber windows at ground floor level having timber mullions and transoms; replacement window openings over at first floor level. Moulded limestone hoodmouldings over central window openings at ground floor level and to projecting end bays at first floor level; decorative label stops to hoodmouldings at ground floor level. Narrow pointed-arch ventilation openings at attic level to gabled end bays to both front (north) and rear (south) elevations having chamfered ashlar limestone surrounds; openings now blocked. Square-headed window openings to the rear elevation at first floor level to projecting end bays having timber mullions and transoms, and the remains of leaded latticed window fittings. Square-headed window openings elsewhere to rear (south) and side elevations (east and west) having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash or replacement window fittings. Some fitting openings now infilled with modern blockwork. Central Tudor-arched/four-centred arched door opening to main elevation (north) having chamfered ashlar limestone surround, cut stone hoodmoulding over with decorative label stops, and timber double-doors with recessed panels. Incised date ‘1842’ over doorway. Square-headed doorway to the centre of the rear (south) elevation having timber panelled door. Set back from road in extensive grounds to the south of Ballyshannon town centre. Yards to front and rear of site. Former workhouse (40852076) adjacent to the south. Coursed rubble stone boundary walls to site; partially cement rendered rubble stone boundary wall to the west. Remains of single-storey outbuildings to west and south-west. Entrance gateway to the east having roughly coursed limestone gate piers and modern metal and timber gates.
Appraisal
This well-proportioned former workhouse administration block retains its early form and architectural character. It is well-built in a Tudoresque architectural style and has extensive cut limestone detailing throughout, particularly to the main (north) elevation including chamfered limestone surrounds to the openings, hoodmouldings, stringcourses and the raised coping to the gablets and gabled bays. The attractive, almost picturesque design belies its intended grim institutional use and the fate suffered by many of its occupants. The redbrick chimneystacks are another interesting feature that helps create a distinctive roofline. This building was built to the standard union workhouse administration block design prepared by George Wilkinson (1814 - 90), architect to the Poor Law Commissioners in Ireland from 1839 until 1855. Wilkinson was responsible for the design and erection of all 130 workhouses that were built in Ireland (although Wilkinson was later responsible for 30 extra workhouses that were later built during the last years of the Famine and the years directly afterwards, albeit to a slightly more utilitarian design). Many workhouses were later converted for new uses (such as hospitals) and have been substantially altered over the years; and many were subsequently demolished during the twentieth century. At Ballyshannon, however, much of the original detailing survives making this building an important surviving example of its type. The workhouse at Ballyshannon was originally designed to accommodate 5-600 inmates (estimates vary), at a cost of £5,850 for the building and £1,100 for the fittings. The contractor involved was a Mr. Creden. It officially opened on the 6th of May 1843. It was one of seven workhouses constructed in County Donegal along with those at Donegal Town, Dunfanaghy, Glenties, Inishowen, Letterkenny and Milford. Although designed for 5-600 inmates, close to 1,000 were accommodated at Ballyshannon Union Workhouse during the height of the Great Famine. Workhouses are historically linked with the Great Famine (1845 - 1851) and are an important physical reminder of this traumatic period in Irish history. This structure (and ancillary buildings) forms part of a largely intact former union workhouse complex with the main workhouse building to the south (40852076) and the associated workhouse graveyard (located to the west of St. Anne’s Church of Ireland church), and is an important element of the social history and built heritage of County Donegal. A workhouse fever hospital was also built to the north-east of the workhouse at Ballyshannon in 1847 but is no longer extant (it was on the site now occupied by a secondary school).