Dublin North Union Workhouse, site of

Opened in 1840, the Dublin North Union Workhouse stands as a stark reminder of a challenging past. This wasn’t just a building. It was a microcosm of Dublin society during the Great Famine. The Dublin North Union Workhouse originally began as a House of Industry in 1773. It was situated on North Brunswick Street, in the Grangegorman area. The initial idea was to fund it through donations. However, by 1777, government funding became necessary. Architects like Francis Johnston and William Murray contributed to its design and expansion. By 1839, the House of Industry housed over 1600 people. These included the poor, infirm, and those deemed “incurable lunatics”. “Curable lunatics” were treated next door at the Richmond Lunatic Asylum, which opened in 1814. With the Poor Law of 1839, the Dublin North Union Workhouse was officially established. George Wilkinson oversaw the renovations, increasing capacity to 2000. The cost was significant: £4819 for construction and £3180 for fittings. A hospital wing was added in 1879. The workhouse was a sprawling complex, with separate exercise yards for different groups. This was a common feature of Wilkinson’s workhouse designs. The Dublin North and South Union Workhouses were among the busiest in Ireland. During the Great Famine, they were severely overcrowded, housing thousands more than their intended capacity. Conditions deteriorated drastically. In the 1890s, a British Medical Journal report exposed the appalling conditions. This prompted some improvements in Irish workhouses. The Dublin North Union Workhouse ceased operation around 1918. The North and South Unions were then combined at the South Union site. The original North Dublin buildings were repurposed. The Dublin North Union Workhouse may be gone. However, its story remains etched in Dublin’s history. It is a testament to a time of hardship, resilience, and social reform.