Conference on Birr Workhouse
For all those interested in the Poor Law, especially those with a family history or stories connected with workhouses. This conference will raise the profile of Irish workhouses.
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Oxmantown Mall, Birr
6th September to 7th September 2013
Birr Historical Society will hold a Conference on Birr Workhouse on 6 & 7 September 2013. We have secured leading academics and local historians and there will be exhibitions and guided walks.
Birr Workhouse was in operation from 1842 until 1921 and the building was subsequently used for light industry such as Birr Shoes Ltd and Peerage Brass Ltd. Excellent records of the workhouse have survived.
Invitations have been sent to descendants of emigrants from Birr Workhouse, in particular to those of girls who left on the Orphan Girl Emigration Scheme (1848-50) whose names are on record.
Many employees of Birr Shoes Ltd emigrated to Northampton when the facility closed in the 1960s and local contact has been maintained.