Portumna
Portumna (Port Omna - "the landing place of the oak tree") lies on the River Shannon and the northern shores of Lough Derg. Portumna Forest Park provides another welcome amenity to this important market town; its mile long sign-posted trail guides you through a marvellous world of common and exotic trees. If you go quietly, you need not lack company for there are sixteen species of wild animals and eighty-five varieties of birds living happily beneath the green mantle.
You can find out more about activities around Portumna on the web at:
Portumna Workhouse
Portumna Workhouse opened in 1852. In total, 163 workhouses were built in Ireland. If families were at starvation level, they could enter the workhouse and work for their food. Life in the workhouse was harsh and disciplined. Entire families had to enter the workhouse together. The system was based on indoor relief only. This was one way of clearing the land of tenants. On entering, family members were segregated. There were separate quarters of men, women, boys and girls. Children aged 2 or less could stay with their mothers. Last July, Portumna workhouse opened its doors to tell the story of the Irish Workhouse. It is the only centre in Ireland where this story is told in a comprehensive manner.
The workhouse system was set up as a result of the Irish Poor Law Act in 1838. This divided the country into 130 Unions. 33 more were added later. Each Union had to have a workhouse, which was to be paid for by a tax on the land. Landlords had an ambivalent attitude to the workhouse system. On the one hand, it helped to clear tenants from the land but on the other, it was a tax on their property.
Ulick John de Burgh (1802-74) was the landlord for this area during the workhouse years. He was largely an absentee landlord and was also a very influential politician. Initially, he was one of the most outspoken critics in parliament of the poor law system for Ireland. However once in government, he accepted it.
The Workhouse is open at certain times of the year to view the restoration and work in progress. For more information contact The Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna 090-9759200www.irishworkhousecentre.ie
View Larger Map
