Workhouse
The Kilkenny Workhouse was built in 1840 on the lands of J.B. Brien to combat poverty in the City area, opening its doors in 1842. Like all others in the country it was strictly functional and specifically designed in this way to comply with the Poor Law Act, so that none but the truly needy would seek refuge there. Many impoverished and despairing individuals passed through its doors, and many never left.
In 1872 the Sisters of Mercy were invited to come to the assistance of the people and of the Workhouse, which they did in 1875. The ‘paupers’ as they were so described now became patients and they numbered about 600. The Workhouse subsequently became part of the Central Hospital System in 1921 and was run as such up to 1942 when it was replaced by St. Luke’s Hospital which opened on the Freshford Road.
Over 800 skeletal remains from the Great Famine of 1847 were discovered at the site during a specialist Archaeological dig, prior to construction works. These were taken into care for analysis (under the authority of the National Museum of Ireland). It is intended that they will be respectfully re-interred in a single crypt at MacDonagh Junction in 2008, subject to the required approvals.
The Workhouse buildings have been sensitively and beautifully restored forming an integral part of the retail element of MacDonagh Junction. A section of these buildings has also been given over to the Local Authority for community use and the development of start-up businesses.