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Irish Workhouse Centre to launch new book
The Irish Workhouse Centre and South East Galway Integrated Rural Development are pleased to announce that it has published a book about the history of
Hear the story of the workhouse poor in a new way!
Thanks to everyone who worked with us on this project In particular, thank you to the Heritage Council of Ireland for their continued support. William’s
Workhouse Conference – Famine, Workhouses and Institutional Care
We are delighted to share further details of our September Conference, ‘Famine, Workhouses and Institutional Care: The Role of Institutional Care and Carers during the
Heritage Week 2023 at the Workhouse
What’s on – Looking forward to Heritage Week 2023 National Heritage Week is a nine-day celebration of Ireland’s natural, built and cultural heritage. The main
An Bhean Ghlúine Exhibition Launch
The management and staff of the Irish Workhouse Centre were delighted to formally launch An Bhean Ghlúine, an exhibit by Emma Laffey, in the Dining
Welcome Luna
My name is Luna Keita, I am an 18-year-old French student. I live in Cluses, a town located in the department of Haute-Savoie, in the
Old Tuam Society Donation
We are very grateful to the Old Tuam Society for their generous donation to the Irish Workhouse Centre as part of last December’s Orphans of
The Irish Workhouse Centre Welcomes the President of Ireland and Mrs Higgins
The Board of Directors, Manager, staff, and volunteers of the Irish Workhouse Centre – Portumna were delighted to host President and Mrs. Higgins on Sunday
Important Notice: Sunday, 4th December
There will be no tours of the Workhouse available on Sunday 4th December due to the staging of a play in the building. We apologise
Coming to the Workhouse on 4th December – Orphans of the Great Hunger
The Old Tuam Society presents Orphans of the Great Hunger, a two-act play written by Patricia King-Callaghan and directed by Tom O’Donoghue. The performance takes
Important Tour Information – 10th September 2022
There will be no tours of the Workhouse on Saturday 10th September while the conference ‘Commemorating the Closing of the Workhouses in Ireland’ takes place.
1845: Memento Mori by Paula Stokes
The Irish Workhouse Centre is delighted to welcome Paula Stokes and her 1845: Memento Mori famine memorial and glass installation. The exhibition is dedicated to
Centenary of the Closing of the Irish Workhouses Conference
On 10th September 2022 the Irish Workhouse Centre will host the final conference of the year remembering the Centenary of the Closing of the Irish
Certificate in Local History
Are you curious about your local area and its history? The Certificate in Local History in conjunction with the University of Limerick is a one-year,
We’re ready for Heritage Week 13-21 August 2022
National Heritage Week, an initiative by the Heritage Council, celebrates all things heritage. It brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics, and enthusiasts, to
David Rooney exhibition hosted at the Workhouse
We are very excited that several of David Rooney’s Famine etchings have found a permanent home with us here at the Workhouse. David is originally
Black 47 Famine Conference Success
The Dining Hall – Irish Workhouse Centre L-R: Gerard Moran, Cathaoirleach Peter Keaveney, Clare Lowery, Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill, Christy Cunniffe Thank you to all who presented,
Our first conference in 2022 – Black ’47
We look forward to our first conference in 2022. We would be grateful if you could share as widely as possible. The full conference brochure
We look forward to seeing you in 2022
We’re delighted to re-open for the 2022 season on Tuesday, 5th April.Opening days are Tuesday-Sunday and guided tour times are:10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm. While
We are hiring!
Job Description: Administrator – Receptionist South East Galway Integrated Rural Development Clg. is a not-for-profit, local development company, operating since 1997. The company manages the
Irish Workhouse Centre Conferences 2022
2022 will mark a very important year nationally as it is the 175th anniversary of Black ’47 and also the centenary of the closing of
First Friday Series November: ‘Giving witness to Famine: The State of the Country reports in the Nation newspaper’
The last talk in our First Friday Series 2021 will be brought to you on Friday 3rd December at 8pm and is entitled ‘Giving witness
Thanks everyone!
We’ve come to the end of another season here at the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna. Our final day open for general tours is Sunday
First Friday Series November: Doing the Rounds
The next talk in our First Friday Series will be brought to you on Friday 5th November by Dr. Christy Cunniffe. Christy will be discussing
The Workhouse welcomes the Polish Ambassador
We were delighted to host the Polish Ambassador Anna Sochańska on 17th September 2021 as part of our Culture Night celebrations. The Ambassador kindly unveiled Kieran
First Friday Series October: Aspects of life and death in the Workhouse
The next talk in our First Friday Series takes place on 1st October at 8pm via Zoom. Clare Doyle will be discussing ‘Aspects of life
Shorelines Arts Festival – Sept 16th-19th 2021
They’re back! Bringing live music, words and art to our community and schools. With over twenty events in music, literature, talks, walks and drama, Portumna
Finding Ogle: The Story of the Disappearing Workhouse Master
Finding Ogle: The Story of the Disappearing Workhouse Master In 2019 David Broderick, local historian, and workhouse researcher began work to uncover the mystery behind
First Friday Workhouse Series
In March we began a new online venture hoping to tell the story of the workhouse poor and bring attention to the natural, cultural and
Why not visit us on YouTube?
We recently relaunched our YouTube channel and will soon be adding some of the films produced for Heritage Week 2020. Our most popular is the
National Heritage Awards 2020
We were delighted to attend the virtual National Heritage Awards hosted by the Heritage Council and presented by RTÉ broadcaster, Anne Cassin. The ceremony recognised
Museum Renovation
Over the past months we have also been renovating the Workhouse Museum. Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Council and continued support from Galway
Welcome to our new website!
After many months of planning and design, we are delighted to present our fully responsive, redesigned site. We would like to thank LEADER for funding