Bawnboy Workhouse Feasibility Study of Future Use
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BAWNBOY WORKHOUSE FEASIBILITY STUDY OF FUTURE USE _______________________________________________________ Prepared for Cavan County Council by Bawnboy Workhouse Ltd July 2020
Transcript of Bawnboy Workhouse Feasibility Study of Future Use
BAWNBOY WORKHOUSE FEASIBILITY STUDY OF FUTURE USE
_______________________________________________________ Prepared for Cavan County Council by Bawnboy Workhouse Ltd
July 2020
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Table of Contents Terms of reference
Introduction
Survey of all existing buildings Block A Girls Dormitories Block B Boys Dormitories Block C and D Storehouse and Refractories (Girls yard and Boys’ yard) Block E Chapel and Dining Hall Block F Womens’ dormitories Block G Mens’ Dormitories Block H Laundry Block Block I Bakehouse Block J Infirmary block The Dead House The Lychgate
A listed building in Cavan County Development plan and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, implications of this.
The Market
Investment and Funding
Management options The Lease
Possible Ways forward
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Terms of Reference The terms of reference which were provided by Cavan County Council were the following:‐
AIM: to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study of future use for the Bawnboy Workhouse Complex. The Bawnboy Workhouse Complex consists of a number of buildings. 1. An in depth survey of all existing buildings should be undertaken with a
view to the conditions of the buildings. Conservation and Planning issues, a listed building in Cavan County Development plan and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, implications of this.
2. Potential and constraints. Building by building‐ some conserved as ruins and may require interventions required to ensure best practice: Constraints Overall Potential and constraints
3. The market General Catchment Specific
4. Impact on the workhouse 5. Works required
Investment Investment and Funding
7 Core Required works Additional costs‐conserving building as ruins Temporary interventions‐roof coverings Required investment External Funding Bodies
8 Managemant options Trust Company Partner Network
9 Financial Viability 10 Necessary Decisions to be made by Bawnboy Workhouse Ltd. 11 Short term solutions 12 Possible Ways forward
General Developing Scenarios
13 Next Steps In this report we take the description of each block as it is named in the Feasibility Study by the Architects Kelly and Cogan in 2006, and we update the information to indicate the condition of each block in 2020. The Kelly and Cogan Report can be seen in full on http://www.workhouse.bawnboy.com/pages/preservation/index.html;
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Introduction Bawnboy Workhouse was constructed in the years 1851 to 1853, to house the
poor of the area, who were destitute as a result of the Great Famine of 1845‐1850. The workhouse had an average of 250 inhabitants each year over the period 1853 to 1922. It was closed down by the Free State in 1922.
160 workhouses were built in Ireland in the period 1842‐1853. Bawnboy Workhouse is one of about ten workhouses which remain in more or less their original state.
Since 1922 various apartments in the workhouse were occupied by local families until the 1970’s. Some rooms were used as a Technical School in the 1940’s to the 1960’s. The Boys’ Schoolroom was used as a Dance hall, and the Dining room/Chapel was used as a chapel. The building ceased to be used from 1979 onwards, apart from a bakery which was located in the church in the 1990’s. The workhouse then fell into a state of disrepair.
In 2010, two recent residents of Bawnboy proposed to assemble a committee to preserve the workhouse. 25 local residents volunteered to help, and the present secretary established a Company Limited by Guarantee, with all 25 members as Directors.
This committee secured a grant of 81,000 euros from the EU Leader funds in 2012, 24,000 euros was obtained from Cavan County Council, and Bawnboy Workhouse contributed 11,000 euros. This money was used to do preliminary work on the workhouse, to remove creeper from the roofs, and to make a safe walkway around the buildings. The committee wish to continue their work to preserve the workhouse, which is a Heritage building.
In 2011 the Council gave a lease for 7 years to the committee of Bawnboy Workhouse. This lease has now expired. The committee has requested a renewal of that lease. Cavan County Council has requested that the committee prepare a Feasibility Study of future use of Bawnboy Workhouse, as a condition of granting this lease.
This Feasibility Study has addressed the items put forward in the terms of reference proposed by Cavan County Council. We hope that the proposals in this report will be acceptable to the Council, and that they will grant a lease of the workhouse complex to the committee, so that we may continue with the work of preserving the buildings.
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A survey of the present condition of the buildings.
The numbering of the buildings which is used in the report of Kelly and Cogan (2006) will be retained in this report. This numbering is A Girls’ dormitories F. Womens’ dormitories B Boys’ dormitories G. Mens’ dormitories C Storehouse and Refractories (Girls’ yard) H. Laundry Block D Storehouse and Refractories (Boys’ Yard) I Bakehouse E. Chapel and Dining Hall J Infirmary Block Mortuary/Dead House In addition there is The Lychgate (which was not restored at the time of the Kelly and Cogan Report)
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Block A Girls’ Dormitories The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was as
follows:‐ Part of front wall which was removed has been restored. 12 windows on first floor have been repaired. Gaps in the floor of the dormitory have been filled in. The wooden banister has been repaired. The roof has been propped up from the inside with a wooden support. The windows on the exterior wall have been blocked up. The roof is in urgent need of repair as the slates have slipped.
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This was the condition of Block A in 2009.
Block A in 2020
This is the front of Block A during the repairs in 2012. The gap in the wall where a window was opened up to make an entrance for cattle can be seen in the third bay of the building. The Tus workers Danny Dolan (RIP) and Gavin Baker who repaired the window.
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B Boys’ Dormitories The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was :‐ One chimney has been repaired. The ESB has been installed in the Mens’ shed rooms. The Mens’ shed rooms have been refurbished. A wc and wash‐handbasin have been installed. 8 windows have been repaired on the side facing the boys’ yard. 27 windows have been boarded up on the wall facing the road. A new stairs has been installed in the two end rooms (Former Male Probationary Ward). The roof slates now need some minor repairs. Two chimneys need repointing. A fire alarm system must be installed.
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Block C and D Refractories, Privies The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was:‐
The roof of Block C (in the Girls’ yard} has been repaired with slates saved from the Dining hall/chapel. (The repair was carried out by Peter McKiernan, builder, in 2017.) Block D in the Boys Yard has not been repaired. Solar panels have been placed on the roof of block C. This is because this block was conserved with money from Airtricity, who require a sustainable element to the projects which they fund. This block containing the refractories has not been conserved in any other workhouse in Ireland. I
The architects Kelly and Cogan have written at the side of their report:‐The original privies and refractories are an important part of the conservation value of this complex There is substantial remaining fabric and “built in” equipment from the original which makes this highly important from the conservation aspect. It is now in a state of good repair in Bawnboy Workhouse and has been saved from the elements’
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The refractory block 2013
This was the state of the Refractory block in 2009.
This is the Refractory block in 2020. The seven seater privy seat was broken. This new privy seat was crafted by Patsy McIntyre in 2015.
This is the stone seat in one of the refractory (punishment) cells.
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Block E Kitchen Dining Hall/Chapel The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was:‐
The roof over the chapel/dining room was taken down by volunteers, as it was in danger of collapsing. The slates were saved and were used for blocks C H and I. The stained glass windows in the chapel have been broken because of vandalism, between 2006 and 2010. The roof over the kitchen has collapsed. The roof over the Porter’s rooms has partially collapsed. It would still be possible to save some slates here. A new bell has been put in the belfry.
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This is the interior of the chapel/dining hall. It could be roofed with glass and would make an interesting museum space or lecture hall. The nursery in the womans’ block. It could be part of a museum interpretive centre.
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Block F Womens’ Dormitories The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was:‐
The roof of this building has partially collapsed since 2018. The sack mattresses have been removed to the girls’ dormitory to keep them safe from the weather. A fireguard which was derelict in the grounds was reinstated in front of the fire place in the nursery room. The dormitory space has been damaged by rain and breaking slates.
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BLOCK G Mens’ Dormitories The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was:‐
This block is in reasonable condition. It is unclear why Kelly and Cogan stated that the interior was not open for access, as this contains the schoolroom which was used as a technical school in the 1940’s and 1950’s and it has always been open and easy to access. There was a fire caused by vandalism in the second dormitory room on the first floor in the period between 2000 and 2006. Some of the floor was destroyed. No alterations have been made in this block since 2006.
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Block H Laundry The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was:‐
The roof has been repaired with slates from the old chapel block. This repair was done by Peter McKiernan. The ventilation shaft on the laundry roof has been repaired. This was done by Peter McKiernan in his own time and at no cost to the committee. Some of the racks still left in the drying room have been repaired by Tony Byrne and Sean Logue. An antique washing machine was restored by Sean Logue. New steps up to the building were made by Patrick Duffy. A new door was made by Tony Byrne Kelly and Cogan state in their report:‐ The interior fittings and ironwork is original and particularly important part of the conservation value of this complex.
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Laundry Block (Block H)
This was the Laundry Block in 2009.
TThis ThThe Laundry block in 2020.
This is the Laundry in 2012. Sean Logue repaired the washing machine.
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Block I the Bakehouse The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was:‐
The roof has been repaired. The graffiti have been removed. The area has been cleared of rubbish. Kelly and Cogan stated about this bakehouse:‐ This oven is original and a particularly important part of the conservation value of the complex. It is an important example of Victorian Industrial archaeology. The structure has now been preserved. These three out buildings, the refractory block, the laundry and the bakehouse have all been preserved by the committee. These three blocks are the only ones which still exist in their original state, of all the workhouses built in Ireland.
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The bakehouse in 2012.
The Bakehouse in 2020. The brick built oven in the bakehouse
The infirmary block (block J)
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Block J Infirmary The condition of this block in 2006, in the report of Kelly and Cogan, was:‐
No alterations have been made to this building since the Kelly and Cogan report of 2006. The roofs have fallen in on the apartments for Idiots and Imbeciles, and the straw storehouse. The roof on the mens’ side of the infirmary collapsed in 2019. The slates have fallen into the inside of the building and are broken. The ridge tiles have also fallen in and are broken. The internal structure is now open to the elements, and is being destroyed. The central part of the roof of the infirmary could still be saved but work must happen as a matter of urgency. Kelly and Cogan wrote:‐This building is of value and we consider that it can be usefully adapted for future use. However, at present the inner structure of the building is open to the elements. Even a temporary roof would preserve this block, if it were done quickly.
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Dead House This was the Dead House in 2009. The roof of the infirmary in the background is still intact. The Dead House in 2020. It was restored by Peter McKiernan. The roof of the infirmary in the background has collapsed.
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Reconstruction of the Lych Gate The stones and rafters of the Lychgate were stored in this shed in the 1980’s, in a quarry owned by Cavan County Council in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan. Aidan Brady on top of the Lychgate putting the numbered stones in place. It was his father who had numbered and taken them down 30 years earlier.
This drawing of a lychgate, designed by George Wilkinson in 1849 for the second phase of workhouses was provided by the Architectural Archives in Dublin.
Patsy McIntyre, Brian McIntyre, Garrett Lovett and Patrick Duffy made the doors for the Lych gate The lych gate doors in place.
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Implications of the fact that Bawnboy Workhouse is on the Register of Protected Structures Bawnboy Workhouse is on the National Register of Protected structures in Ireland. Its number is 40400907. This carries with it the obligation on the relevant local authority to protect the building. Cavan County Council acknowledges this in its Plan for 2016‐2020. In this plan, in the section on Architectural Heritage, referring to the built heritage, it says
It is an aim of Cavan County Council to protect and enhance such evidence of our shared history. The statement continues:‐It is essential that our built heritage,
especially structures that appear in the ‘Record of Protected Structures’ (RPS), as well as our ‘Archaeological Monuments’ and ‘Architectural Conservation Areas’ (ACA) are protected. It is better that such structures are in use rather than become derelict; Later in that section it states:‐It is the policy of Cavan County Council “To continue to develop the Council’s advisory/educational role with regard to Heritage matters and to promote awareness and understanding of the architectural heritage. To continue to administer conservation grants/structures at risk fund for owners /occupiers of protected structures.” The document continues to emphasise the point when it states that the policy of Cavan County Council is To protect the architectural heritage of Cavan and to include all structures, or parts of structures, considered to be of special architectural interest
These statements clearly state that Cavan County Council accepts its responsibility to preserve the historic building of Bawnboy Workhouse. As Cavan County Council are the owners and guardians of the building, the obligation should be more imperative. A reading of these statements would encourage the workhouse committee to ask Cavan County Council for assistance to protect the workhouse in accordance with the aims of their County Development plan. The work which is most urgent is the temporary repair of the roofs.
The roofs have already fallen in on the infirmary block, on the straw storehouse, on the accommodation for idiots and imbeciles, on the Porter’s rooms and on the Kitchen. The roof on the womans block is partially collapsed and will not last another year. The roofs of the infirmary block collapsed in the winter of 2019‐2020, and the apartments underneath are now exposed to the elements and the material is being destroyed. The committee considers that a temporary roof could be put on these blocks.
The committee already attempted to save some of these roofs by covering them with tarpolin, but this was blown off in high winds. We believe that the temporary roofs could be made from aluminium sheets which could be painted black. This is the practice which has been used in Lisnaskea workhouse a few years ago, when a fire destroyed the roof of the dormitory block there. A
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temporary use of aluminium was permitted by the Northern Irish heritage Council. It is also very urgent that the slates and ridge tiles should be rescued from these roofs, as it is difficult to source similar slates, and they are very expensive to buy. It is distressing to see that these slates are slipping off the roofs and breaking on the ground, when they could be salvaged. If Cavan County Council agree to support this work, they will be living up to the aspiration in the Council plan:‐ “(BHP4) To actively encourage and promote the conservation of Cavan’s built heritage.” http://www.cavancoco.ie/file/development‐plans/county‐cavan/Development‐Plan‐Adopted/Cavan%20County%20Development%20Plan%202014%20‐%202020.pdf;
This photo of Bawnboy Workhouse is on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage website. This was taken in July 2012, while the Lychgate was under construction. The Workhouse National Monument number is 40400907.
This photo is also from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage site, taken in July 2012. The roof is still on the infirmary building. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings‐search/building/40400907/bawnboy‐workhouse‐corrasmongan‐bawnboy‐co‐cavan
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Investment and Funding There are three main bodies who provide funding for projects of this kind. These are 1. THE EU LEADER SCHEME 2. THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE HERITAGE AND THE GAELTACHT GRANTS FOR HISTORIC STRUCTURES 3.FAILTE IRELAND THE EU LEADER SCHEME
The Committee has been successful in the past in obtaining funding from both the Leader scheme, and from Cavan County Council. In 2012‐2013 the Cavan Monaghan EU Leader scheme gave a grant to Bawnboy Workhouse of 81,000 euros. Cavan County Council also gave a grant of 24,000 euros. With this money the committee succeeded in clearing the grounds so that the workhouse was once again visible from the road. Also the bushes and creepers from the roofs of the workhouse buildings were cleared. A fence was erected around the periphery of the workhouse, so that people could no longer break in and do damage. A new pathway was created around the buildings. Signs were erected with information and illustrations about the history of the workhouse. Picnic tables were installed so that visitors could sit in the grounds. The total cost of the works in 2013 was 111,000 euros.
The committee would like to express our appreciation of the support which we received from the Chief Services Officer in Cavan County Council, Paddy Connaughton in the work which was done at that time. He organised the return of the Lychgate to the workhouse and facilitated the rebuilding of it by workers in Cavan County Council. He arranged for a chimney which was in poor repair, in Block B, to be repaired. He arranged for all the windows in the two front blocks to be boarded up so that the original window frames were preserved. We are grateful to Paddy Connaughton for his vision and support.
One of the drawbacks for any group who obtain a grant from the Leader funds is that the group receiving it must give 25% of the cost of the work. This can be sourced from other agencies, or can sometimes be supplied by providing voluntary labour, but a minimum of 5% must be supplied by an organisation in money, as part of this scheme. In 2013, Cavan County Council gave 20% of the money required, but in future years this may not be possible. This will limit what the committee can achieve in raising money to continue our work. It is worth noting that Leader can give funding of up to 500,000 euros to Community groups, if they wish. This would require that the committee can raise funds of 25% of such an amount from another source.
A further cost is that the borrower must pay all the contractors before receiving repayment of the grant from Leader. In 2013 this meant that the committee had to pay an extra 6,000 euros in costs to Clann Credo, in order to borrow 81,000 euros over a six week period. The interest rate was low but the arrangement fee was high. The secretary obtained a personal loan from Ballyconnell Credit Union for this 6,000 euros, and the loan was guaranteed by two other directors, Nigel Rofe and Kevin McCaffrey. The committee held fundraising events to repay the loan. In total, Bawnboy
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Workhouse contributed 11,000 euros to the cost of the work done in 2012‐2013. If the committee is to secure another grant from Leader under the present 2016‐2020 scheme, we would have difficulty raising 25% of the grant, unless we had support from Cavan County Council or another funding body.
The committee did apply in December 2016 to the Leader scheme for a grant of 187,000 euros to make good the roofs of the workhouse. Unfortunately this application has been placed on hold. The reason is that we, as applicants must have a lease of at least five years duration after the work is completed, in order to be considered for a grant. Our lease expired in June 2018, and has not yet been renewed, so we continue on a month by month basis under the old lease. Cavan County Council have informed us that one of the conditions of obtaining a new lease is that a Feasibility Study should be completed.
We hope that this present report will fulfil this obligation and that we may obtain a new lease and funding from Leader before the present Leader programme expires, at the end of 2020.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE HERITAGE AND THE GAELTACHT GRANTS FOR HISTORIC STRUCTURES
The Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht give grants each year for Historic Structures, particularly historic structures at risk. The committee applied in 2018 and 2020 for a grant under this scheme. On neither occasion was our application successful. We hope that when we secure a lease we may in the future succeed in getting a grant from this source.
FAILTE IRELAND
In 2019 the tourist board, Failte Ireland, announced a programme called Platforms for Growth, which would provide grants for projects to bring Ireland’s history, culture and heritage to life. The minimum award would be 2.5 million euros. The committee applied for this grant and were supported with a statement from the architect Deirdre Meagher. We succeeded in getting through to the second round, but we did not succeed in getting to Round 3. It was clear that we should have had the advice of a business consultant if we were to proceed any further. Failte Ireland were positive in their discussions with us at a meeting held in the Slieve Russell hotel, in June 2019, about the importance of the workhouse as an historic and cultural attraction.
Strokestown House in Co. Roscommon was actually awarded 3.9 million euros by Failte Ireland under this scheme in 2019 to develop a Famine Museum. Strokestown House is actually a Georgian House belonging to a landlord, Pakenham Mahon, who was a guardian of Roscommon Workhouse. He was murdered in 1848 because he had transported hundreds of his tenants to Canada, many of whom died of the fever. Although Strokestown has developed a Famine museum, the house does not portray the life of the poor during the famine, in the way that Bawnboy Workhouse would.
http://www.failteireland.ie/Utility/News‐Library/Failte‐Ireland‐announces‐investment‐of‐€3‐9million.aspx;
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There will be another round of Platforms for Growth in a few years time, and if the workhouse can obtain the support of the Council and of a business consultant, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that this project could be considered by Failte Ireland as worthy of investment. Bawnboy. is in the centre of the midlands area which they have named the Hidden Heartlands. There is a dearth of developed historic sites in this hidden heartland. This may improve our chances at a later date.
Failte Ireland explained at the meeting in Cavan that they wished to promote tourism in other parts of Ireland, away from the capital city of Dublin, Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way. Their official website states:‐
“Creating a more regional spread of visitors is central to our capital investment strategy, and through this platform new attractions across the country will be developed and existing ones transformed.”
http://www.failteireland.ie/Supports/Identify-Available-Funding/Platform-for-growth.aspx;
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) There is another fund which might be relevant to the workhouse and this is the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). It is administered by the Department of Rural Affairs and it has made a commitment of €1 billion to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027. Its aim is to support job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas.
In order to be considered, projects must be ready to to commence with the necessary consents (e.g. planning/Part 8, environmental, wildlife, archaeological etc.) in place, be at an advanced stage of design, satisfy the requirements of the Public Spending Code[1], and are procurement-ready.
The committee have made an application to this fund on 30 June 2020. We hope that we fulfill the criteria for an award under this scheme.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/282dd‐rural‐regeneration‐and‐development‐fund‐3rd‐call‐now‐open/ Other Sources of Funding
Other sources of funding have been SSE Airtricity who have windmills on the mountain near Bawnboy, who have given us grants each year to continue to restore windows and roofs on the buildings. We wish to express our appreciation of the generosity of Airtricity and their officer Anne Reynolds in this effort.
The committee have organised other fund raising events. Twice we have held the raffle of a tractor. We have given guided tours of the workhouse. We have taken part in whist drives and cake sales. This source of funding however does not come close to the funding which it is possible to raise through grants. It is evident that the workhouse committee is unable to access grants from the Cavan Monaghan Leader Scheme, or from the Department of Arts Culture and
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Heritage, or from Failte Ireland, if we do not have the support of Cavan County Council. We hope that in presenting this Feasibility study, we may demonstrate to Cavan County Council that we have already arrested the deterioration of the workhouse, and that the community in Bawnboy have made great efforts on a voluntary basis to assist in this work. We would ask Cavan County Council to consider that our community effort is worthy of their support.
STRUCTURE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE WORKHOUSE The terms of reference supplied by Cavan County Council pose the question,
whether the management structure should be a Trust, a Charity, or a Partnership. A TRUST
A trust is a legal entity which holds property or assets for a specific person or group, called the beneficiary. In order to set up a Trust to manage the workhouse, it would be necessary for Cavan County Council, who are the owners of the building, to transfer ownership of that building to the Trust. This might create legal difficulties, in so far as it could be a long process for a public body to transfer its property to a Trust. Trustees would then have to be appointed, and it would be the role of the Trustees to decide on the activities which would take place in the workhouse. This might take the initiative away from the local community. This would also make it difficult for the members of the Trust to access EU Leader money. The EU Leader scheme is based on the premise that it will help initiatives which come from local communities. Its name, LEADER, explains this concept:‐ “The term ‘LEADER’ originally came from the French acronym for "Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale", meaning 'Links between the rural economy and development actions'.”
The EU states mission statement says clearly that it is to engage “local actors” in the development of their area. “LEADER is a local development method which has been used for 20 years to engage local actors in the design and delivery of strategies, decision‐making and resource allocation for the development of their rural areas.” https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/leader‐clld_en;
It would not seem that a Trust would be the best way to manage the future of Bawnboy Workhouse. A PARTNERSHIP
We assume that by this suggestion it is implied that there would be a partnership between Cavan County Council and Bawnboy Workhouse Ltd. to manage the workhouse. The terms of reference for a partnership state that members of a partnership share equal liability for the actions of a business, and share responsibility for the profits and loss of the business, and for the stock and equipment of that partnership. The parties do not have a limited liability as to the losses incurred by the partnership.
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It would seem that there would be very little legal advantage to either partners in this arrangement. A CHARITY
The advantage of being a limited company, or a charity, is that it allows a group to access grants from the EU Leader scheme, and other publicly funded schemes. In 2010 a limited company was set up in Bawnboy to preserve the workhouse. This company is now in the process of registering as a charity. This would seem to be the most effective way of raising money for a community group.
If it happened that the Workhouse became the object of an investment of 2.5 million euros by Failte Ireland, then this structure would change. Failte Ireland set out in their information about their project “Platforms for Growth” that if a group were successful in securing a grant of this size, they would appoint an official to work with the group. At that stage the enterprise would become a major one, and it would be appropriate for the project to revert to Cavan County Council so that it could be managed at a professional level.
THE MARKET Bawnboy is situated in the West Cavan West Fermanagh Geopark area If the
workhouse were restored to a standard which would make it possible for it to be open to visitore, then it is likely that it would attract numbers similar to other attractions in the Geopark area. The Geopark is primarly a resource which is dedicated to the outdoors and the natural environment. The website states
The Marble Arch caves were first opened to the public in 1985, and were awarded Geopark status in 2001. In the year 2004 The Marble Arch Caves Geopark was awarded international status and in 2008 it became the first cross border Geopark in the world as it extended into County Cavan.
The Fermanagh website for the Geopark is “the Marble Arch Geopark.” This site
advertises stately homes and other examples of architectural heritage in West Fermanagh. If the workhouse were added to this list it would improve the advertising for the workhouse.
The footfall for the Geopark is:‐ Marble Arch Caves 61,000 visitors. (20 km away). Trekkers to the Cuilcagh mountains (Co. Fermanagh and Co. Cavan) 300,000
visitors. (Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail) Florencecourt House estate 40,000. (15 km away) https://www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com/our‐global‐geopark/;
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It could also be a useful comparison to look at the footfall for another workhouse at Portumna in Co. Galway, which has 20,000 visitors annually.
The number of visitors could be increased if there were special events at the workhouse, such as an annual workhouse day, or art exhibitions, or a course of lectures. Future income for the workhouse could come from a number of different initiatives, such as workhouse tours, school tours, holiday accommodation and special events.
It would be important to have a professional business plan drawn up, to help with any future application for funds. A business plan could give more information on how to attract tourists to the workhouse.
THE LEASE
Cavan County Council agreed a lease with Bawnboy Workhouse Ltd. in June 2011. The lease was for a seven year period, and expired in June 2018. Since that date, the lease has not been renewed by Cavan County Council. Under the terms of the old lease, the occupiers can continue on a month by month basis after the expiry of the lease, which is what was happening up to December 2019. In January 2020, Cavan County Council wrote to the secretary of the workhouse committee to say that they would be prepared to give a lease for one block only, the front Boys’ Block (Block B), on certain conditions, which include presenting the Council with a Feasibility Study as to future use.
We would ask the Council to take into account that the people of Bawnboy have in fact occupied Bawnboy Workhouse on an informal basis for the last 100 years. A number of local families lived in rooms in the workhouse since the 1920’s. It also housed a technical school, a dance hall, a cinema, a Catholic Chapel, and a bakery. In the last ten years members of the community have come forward to save the buildings. We hope this will be taken into consideration in the granting of a future lease for the entire complex of buildings.
We have maintained the grounds in good condition in the ten years from 2010 to 2020, including the grounds in the front of the workhouse. In that time we have restored the roofs on Blocks C, J and I, that is, the Refractory block, the Laundry block and the Bakehouse. These blocks were singled out for special attention by the Kelly and Cogan report. They wrote that these were of a high conservation value. These blocks have now been returned to a good state and have been saved.
Our volunteers have done temporary repairs to the roof of Block A, as it is in danger of developing leaks. We have maintained the peripheral fence so that intruders cannot vandalise the buildings as had been happening in the past. If the grounds and other blocks are excluded, it is more than likely that the other buildings will return to the derelict state in which they were before we got the lease.
We would hope to save the slates on blocks E, I, and J and do temporary repairs to the roofs so that these blocks can be retained for future preservation work. Our
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ultimate aim would be to preserve all of the buildings so that future generations may experience what conditions were like for the poor of Ireland in the 19th century.
For these reasons we would request Cavan County Council to grant Bawnboy Workhouse Ltd. a lease for the whole complex.
POSSIBLE WAYS FORWARD We would propose that the future development of the workhouse would consist of two objectives:‐ 1.The provision of facilities for the local community in one part of the workhouse, 2. The development of a museum, or interpretive centre, which would concentrate on the historic background to the workhouse, in another part of the workhouse..
All the workhouses in Ireland were divided into two halves, boys and men lived in one half, and girls and women in the other half. (Families were split up when they came to live in the workhouse. The family members did not see each other again except at Mass on Sundays). The layout of the rooms was broadly similar in both halves. A Museum, or Interpretive Centre could be developed in one half which would adequately reflect the life and times of a workhouse in 1850. Some of the rooms in the other half could be used by the community without any loss to the integrity of the history of the buildings. In fact, the workhouse was informally occupied by the Bawnboy Community since the workhouse was closed down, in 1922. The workhouse accommodated a school, a chapel a bakery and homes for some of the inhabitants of Bawnboy during that time. It is these activities which have contributed to the buildings being in good repair for so long,
Since the workhouse was part of the history of the Great Famine, there is potential for a national tourist attraction to be developed here. Community Use
Block B (the front Boys’ block) is at present a centre for Bawnboy Mens’ shed and provides a centre for local men to come together and to express their creativity in many ways, using the equipment in the shed. This equipment has been provided through funding from the EU Peace 3 and 4 schemes, which are administered by Cavan County Council.
There is also a proposal to develop two rooms at the NE end of block to give accommodation to a local youth group, under the auspices of the national Youth organisation Foroige. The group has been granted money to buy laptops for the young people to train on computer skills. It would be important for this youth group to have access to their centre on a daily basis, so that they could develop their skills without a pressure on time. At present they have a slot at Templeport Community centre for two hours every Friday, but this does not give scope for more sustained development. Both these activities are a valued resource in the area and help to nurture the sense of community.
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Further activities for the community could be offered in another block, the Mens dormitory block (Block G?), which is at the opposite end of the boys yard from Block B. A possible use could be an artists’ studio. This could be offered on a yearly basis to visiting artists. The scheme could be funded by grants from the Arts’ Council of Ireland. It could be a condition of such an offering that the artist would engage with the schools or community in the area. Accommodation for the artist could be developed in the first floor of the building.
Such a scheme could also involve the setting up of a sculpture trail in the grounds of the workhouse. The workhouse is situated on land of 12 acres. Some of this is taken up by the workhouse graveyard and the water system which is controlled by Cavan County Council for the people of Bawnboy. There is still a considerable amount of ground which could be used as a sculpture trail Possible Tourist Accommodation in the infirmary
Previous feasibility studies by Kelly and Cogan (2006) and Peter Quinn (2000) proposed that the infirmary block could be developed as a hostel, and that this would provide tourist accommodation in the area. We have been informed by Breffni Leader that it is unlikely that we would obtain funding for a hostel, as another tourist amenity in Swanlinbar, Trivia House, has been awarded a sum of one million euros to develop a hostel.
The committee considers that a restaurant cafe could be established on the ground floor of the Mens side of the infirmary (block J) and a bookshop souvenir shop could be fitted out o the first floor. This could be managed by local people.
It would be important to preserve the womans’ side of the infirmary in order to preserve the history of the building in a future museum.
Famine study courses
The Dining hall/chapel block could be transformed into a lecture hall where courses could be run on famine studies or other topics of interest. There is a possibility that Universities in the USA might be interested in their students attending history courses which would earn credits in their degree courses. There is a newly established M.A. course in Studies on the Irish Famine, in the Centre for Irish Studies at the University of New York. This course was established by Loretta Brennan Glucksman. Students on this course might be interested in attending a Famine Studies Course at the workhouse. There is also a Museum at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum, which might be interested in developing links with Bawnboy Workhouse.
Other courses such as the restoration of Historic Buildings could be held at the workhouse.
The students on these courses could be accommodated in Bawnboy and the surrounding area.
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A Museum or Interpretive Centre A future museum could consist of blocks A C E F H I J Block A The Girls’ Dormitory Block the clerks’ office, the board room, the waiting room for merchants, the girls schoolroom the girls dormitories, the female probationary ward. Block C The Refractory wards and the Outdoor privies. Block E The Chapel/Dining Hall Block The kitchen, porters rooms, food stores. Block F The Womens Dormitory block The nursery, the womens’ infirm ward The womens activity room and dormitories where they could see their children from the window Block H The laundry block (Victorian industrial machinery The Bakehouse Block J The Infirmary Womens side, doctor and nurse’s rooms the straw storehouse, the rooms for idiots and imbeciles. These would all make up a guided tour, There are 20 minute books from Bawnboy workhouse in the Cavan Farnham library which are rich in material which could be used to furnish the stories of the lives of people in the workhouse . The stories could be told by local guides, or with short films or with the use of technology such as Virtual Reality headsets such as are supplied in the National Transport Museum in Beltra in Co. Antrim. Next Steps Make Block B safe for the Mens’ shed Refurbish Masters’ rooms as a holiday to let apartment Put temporary roofs on three blocks Save the slates Get a Business Plan If the roofs are secure, then the refurbishment of the buildings can be done as funding becomes available. The workhouse will then have been saved, so that future generations of Irish people will understand the conditions in which their forefathers lived during the Great Famine, which was the most seismic event in Irish history.
This report has been prepared by Dymphna Headen, M.Litt. T.C.D. (History of Art and Architecture) Secretary, Bawnboy Workhouse.
