Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society
Famine Memorial on the site of the Ballina Union Workhouse
By N.O'N.
15, Sep 2011 - 19:18

Ballina Workhouse Graves.

This beautiful monument commemorating the victims of the Great Famine is erected on the site of the workhouse complex in Ballina. Countless victims of the "Great Hunger" are buried in the workhouse graveyard having died of hunger and fever.

The recently erected memorial to the victims of the "Great Famine"who are buried on the site of the old Ballina Workhouse.

This recently erected memorial is a great credit to those responsible for its erection, and the monument gives back dignity to the blameless victims buried there.

Inscription on the memorial.

A rare photo of Ballina Workhouse with Freestate troops drilling outside. Photo c. 1921

Memorial inscription.

This inscription reads :- " From 1843 onwards, the Ballina Union Workhouse complex located on this site housed thousands of destitute poor- men, women and children , suffering from starvation and fever. Fever sheds were erected during the late 1840's and countless victims are buried here".