FAMINE IN COUNTY DOWN Investigating the Impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down

Transcription

1 FAMINE IN COUNTY DOWN Investigating the Impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils

2 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Foreword Réamhrá This education pack for Key Stage 2 pupils contains a range of resources to enhance understanding of the impact of the Great Famine ( ) on our local area, and assist with the development of cross-curricular skills, thinking skills and personal capabilities. The pack contains a selection of contemporary sources focusing on the effect of the Famine in local towns and villages and highlighting a variety of responses to the Famine. Each document section has a series of activities for pupils to complete which relate to the curriculum areas of language and literacy, the world around us and personal development and mutual understanding. It has been produced to mark the Famine Commemoration taking place in Newry, County Down on Saturday, 26th September, This is the eighth year in which the Great Famine has been marked with a formal Commemoration and the first time that the Commemoration has taken place north of the border. I hope that schools in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council find this pack useful in their study of the Famine. Councillor Naomi Bailie Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Tá réimse áiseanna sa phacáiste oideachais seo do dhaltaí Eocharchéim 2 a chuireann le tuiscint ar thionchar an Ghorta Mhóir ( ) sna bólaí seo agus le forbairt scileanna traschuraclaim, smaointeoireachta agus cumas pearsanta. Tá rogha d acmhainní na linne ann a dhíríonn ar éifeacht an Ghorta Mhóir ar bhailte agus ar shráidbhailte an dúiche seo agus a chuireann béim ar éagsúlacht na bhfreagairtí don Ghorta Mhór. Is féidir le daltaí dul i ngleic le sraith gníomhaíochtaí, a bhaineann leis an churaclam: teanga agus litearthacht, an domhan thart orainn, forbairt phearsanta agus comhthuiscint ina measc. Cuireadh an acmhainn foghlama seo le chéile, le haghaidh Lá Cuimhneacháin an Ghorta Mhóir a bheas ar siúl ar an Iúr, Co. an Dúin, Dé Sathairn, 26ú Meán Fómhair Is é seo an t-ochtú bliain go raibh an Gorta Mór á chomóradh le Cuimhneachán foirmeálta agus an chéad bhliain go raibh sé ar siúl ó thuaidh. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh na scoileanna i gceantar an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin tairbhe as an phacáiste seo agus iad i mbun staidéir ar an Ghorta Mhór. An Comhairleoir Naomi Bháille Cathaoirleach Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin 2

3 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Contents 1 Chronology 2 Decisions what would you have done? 3 Did landlords, the government and the better off do enough? 4 Ballee Relief Fund source work and questions 5 Life in the workhouse 6 Population change during and after the Famine 7 Using newspapers as a source Famine in County Down Aims of this pack: To introduce pupils to contemporary sources relating to the Famine in County Down through the use of extracts from the Downpatrick Recorder, To examine the local aspect of the impact of the Famine. To develop critical thinking skills by providing pupils with the opportunity to understand and respond to a range of texts and points of view. To participate in enquiry based tasks. To develop skills in literacy, numeracy and communication. To enhance classroom learning about the Famine and life in Victorian times. To enhance work in ICLs, Thinking through the past, Needs and wants, In the news. To provide opportunities for group working, managing information, problem solving and decision making. 3

4 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down 1 Chronology August October November First report of potato blight in Ireland. One third of the potato crop is ruined. Government Relief Committee established to plan measures to help the poor in Ireland. July November Failure of the potato crop. Cholera epidemic begins. Rural evictions increase, approximately 180,000 people emigrate March July November Public Works Act to provide employment for the poor introduced. Sale of Indian corn begins. Potato blight reappears. Three quarters of potato crop is ruined. Emigration rises dramatically. A very cold winter. Fever and dysentery spread. Number of deaths from hunger and disease increase. May Potato blight lessens appearing only in parts of the south and west of Ireland August Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visit Ireland. December Workhouses full. Approximately 220,000 people emigrate 1847 March July October Soup kitchens established in various locations. Potato blight not so bad but the harvest is very small because fewer seed potatoes were planted the year before. Approximately 3 million people are receiving soup from the soup kitchens. Approximately 220,000 people emigrate. 4

5 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils 2 Decisions: What Would You Have Done? Learning Outcomes Pupils will be able to: Evaluate options and possible consequences in order to decide on a course of action. Recognise the pros and cons of various decisions. Understand the factors contributing to decision making in the past. Teaching and Learning Activities Pupils are given a scenario from the time of the Famine. It is important to give the pupils a little background understanding. People giving charity at the time were very concerned that poor people would expect handouts rather than working for money. Workhouses were being built from the 1830s. People in need viewed the workhouse as a last resort. There were very strict rules and regulations. You had to give up many of your freedoms, for example, you were only allowed visitors in exceptional circumstances. Families were split up. Pupils are encouraged to discuss the pros and cons of each decision and give reasons for their choices. Encourage the pupils to think as real people of the time. They should be encouraged to see how each option has consequences for themselves and their families. As well as the table provided you could also use Consider All Factors or Consequence Wheel methods to arrive at a decision. 5

6 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Scenario 1 It is autumn You are the parents of a family of 3 children. This is the third year your potato crop has failed and your family are desperate for food. You know that famine fever and typhus are spreading in the local area and you are afraid that your children may catch these diseases and die. You need to get money or help in order for you all to survive. You have various options to achieve this. In pairs or small groups consider the following options and make a decision as to what to do. Each option has positives and negatives (pros and cons). Think about them and list what they are: Option A: Hope for the best! Although you have nothing left to eat and nothing left to sell to get money and your rent is due, things may get better. The potato crop next year may be better. You might get a job on one of the government s public works schemes. Option B: Go to the workhouse: Life in the workhouse is harsh, there are lots of rules and regulations. Your family will be split up. However, you will all be fed and if you get sick a doctor will be there to look after you. Option C: Rely on private charity: Local churches and better off people may help you with money or food but there are lots of beggars at the moment and better off people are getting fed up with being constantly asked for money. Your neighbours are as badly off as you are. You could try going to towns further away to beg but with so little food you might not be strong enough for the journey. Option D: Use the local soup kitchen: There is a soup kitchen nearby serving warm soup and bread three times a week. You have to carry the younger children there and you cannot get food every day. Some soup kitchens charge a penny for the food and you have no money. 6

7 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Scenario 1 A) Do Nothing Pros Cons B) Go to the workhouse Pros Cons 7

8 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Scenario 1 C) Rely on private charity Pros Cons D) Use the local soup kitchen Pros Cons 8

9 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils 3 Did landlords, the government and the better off do enough? Learning Outcomes Pupils will be able to: Investigate primary evidence. Gather evidence of different points of view. Reach a conclusion about whether landlords, the government or better off people did enough to help the poor, based on contemporary evidence. Resources There are 7 sources to accompany this enquiry: A Article about Rev WB Forde of Seaforde House B Article about the Marquis of Downshire C Article about soup kitchens D Mr Johnston s defence of Lord de Ros E An account of a meeting at Knockbreda F Article about Castlewellan meeting G Article about destitution in Crossgar H Article about emigration from County Down I List of public works ordered in County Down Teachers should read the sources carefully and see what terms/ details may need to be explained to pupils. Some of the sources have been amended to help with comprehension. 9

10 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Teaching and Learning Activities In groups, pupils should read the sources. They could take it in turns to read the contents of the source aloud to the rest of the group. A pupil acts as a scribe for each group, filling in the chart for the case in favour of landlords, the government, the better off and the case against them. The following terms need to be explained: When each group has completed their grid, teachers should encourage feedback from the groups. What is their conclusions did the landlord, the government and the better off do enough and what evidence have they got to support their conclusions? Soup kitchen Public works Eviction This was when groups of people in a community collected money to distribute soup to the poor people of the community. This is when the local landlord or government officials organised employment for the starving peasantry. Men were employed to build roads, walls, repair bridges etc. Public works were seen as a good thing because the poor were being paid for the labour. Victorians at the time did not believe in giving money to idle people. They feared that people would become lazy and depend on hand-outs. With the failure of the potato crop, many poor people had nothing to eat so they had to eat the grain/wheat they normally sold to pay their rents. Poor people did not have enough money to pay the rents and so some landlords evicted or ordered the people to leave their homes. These people had nowhere to go except the workhouses. Possible questions Who did a lot for their tenants? Who could have done more? What else could people have done? What examples are there of people helping the poor? 10

11 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Source A Source B 3rd October 1846 The Rev W B Forde, of Seaforde House has given directions that there shall be no eviction notices issued against his tenantry on his estates Discussion Points 1 What does eviction mean? 2 How would this decision have affected Rev Forde? 3 How would this decision have affected his tenants? 27 May 1848 The Marquis of Downshire We have received a communication which speaks in high terms of the Marquis of Downshire s kind treatment towards his tenantry on the Dundrum and Ballykinlar estates. They are money for the relief of the poor, distribution of agricultural seeds and employment for labourers on his lands. Discussion Points 1 Try to find out how wealthy the Marquis of Downshire was. Does this explain his kind treatment? 2 Why would have agricultural seeds have been so important at the time of the Famine? 11

12 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Source C 23rd January 1847 There was a meeting held at Saul Chapel last Thursday, to establish a Soup Kitchen there. The subscriptions to the Soup Kitchen in this town at present amount to 70 month, not including donations. Soup Kitchens are being established in several of the rural districts surrounding this town, to which the subscriptions from the landlords, proprietors and tenant-farmers are very generous. Discussion Points 1 Find out how much 70 is worth in today s terms. 2 What factors might influence poor people not to use the soup kitchens? 3 How do we help poor people today? Are there any modern equivalents of soup kitchens in our area? 20th February 1847 A soup kitchen has been established at Saul, to which Lady Harriet Forde, with her accustomed generosity has given money. A boiler has been fitted up in the school house. Soup is distributed twice a week to forty poor persons. 6th February 1847 Killough Soup Kitchen The trustees of the Bangor estate are giving the handsome subscription of 3 week to this soup kitchen. 12

13 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Source D 16th January 1847 Lord de Ros and his Tenantry To the Editor of the Downpatrick Recorder. Discussion Points 1 Does Mr Johnston s letter persuade you that Lord de Ros is a kind landlord? Sir - You have included Lord de Ros in a list of Proprietors of extensive Estates in Ireland, who are not doing their duty. This is a public criticism of Lord de Ros. I would like to inform you of the many acts Lord de Ros has done to help his tenants. He gives slates to his tenants who want to improve their houses. There are 10 houses in Strangford for widows and elderly tenants who are charged a very small rent. Lord de Ros knows every tenant on his estate, and frequently visits them in their houses. I am confident that there is not one of them who will admit that Lord de Ros does not do his duty. With regards to the present distress, Lord de Ros gave money to the sick and elderly as well as giving employment to those willing to work in Strangford. I am, Sir, your very obedient servant, Graham Johnston 13

14 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Source E 26th February 1847 Relief of the Poor Noble Example A Meeting of the Parish of Knockbreda A meeting of the inhabitants on his lordship s property was held last Monday, at Castlereagh, at which a vote of thanks to Lord Downshire was passed. His lordship, in the most generous manner, offered to give 20 monthly, for the relief of the poor in his townlands, and proposed to write a letter to his tenants, urging them to help him with his work to aid the poor. Discussion Points 1 Try to find out how much the Marquis of Downshire earned from his lands. He had 115,000 acres of land in 5 counties. Over half of the tenants in Ireland only had 15 acres to farm. 2 Do you think 20 monthly was enough? We trust this example of noble generosity and good feeling will be imitated in other parts of the country. 14

15 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Source F 17th October 1846 The Castlewellan Meeting Elsewhere we have given a report of the proceedings at this meeting. The conduct of the landlords, and representatives of landlords, who were present, is highly commendable. Mr Sharman Crawford, The Rev Mr Moore, and Mr Beers, declared respectively their readiness to afford employment to those who required it, each in his own district. These gentlemen wished to avoid the necessity of introducing the labour rate act. This is the time for those duties to be performed. The man who now does nothing, does wrong. This is not time for folding the arms in quiet security. Duty, as well as interest, calls man to his post. Discussion Points 1 Why do you think the writer thinks that it is the duty of all to relieve distress? 2 Why do you think Mr Sharman Crawford, Rev Mr Moore and Mr Beers offered to provide employment to those who needed it rather than money? 3 Find out about the Labour Rate Act. Why do you think Mr Crawford, Rev Mr Moore and Mr Beers wanted to avoid this? 4 Why does the writer of the article think that it is in people s interest to help the poor as well as their duty? Distress has come upon the land, and will come with more alarming severity; it is the duty of all who can to relieve it. 15

16 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Source G 30th January 1847 Destitution in Crossgar There are about 240 persons in this village in an utterly destitute state, and if something be not soon done for them the consequences will be frightful. A benevolent gentleman in the neighbourhood made an effort to establish a soup kitchen there, but in vain. He wrote to the proprietor of the town, and also to the several owners of property adjacent, and just two had the common civility to reply. Those two gentlemen, although unconnected with the town of Crossgar, inclosed 5 each. The gentleman above alluded to, finding his efforts unavailing, returned the money to the donors. The people, we are assured, are literally starving. Is not this a melancholy state of things within five miles of the town of Downpatrick? Discussion Points 1 Find out what benevolent means. 2 Find out what destitute means. 3 Find out how much 5 is worth today. 4 Hot seat the benevolent gentleman who wanted to establish the soup kitchen. How do you think he feels? 5 Role play: divide into pairs and imagine one of you is a property owner in Crossgar and one is the gentleman who wanted to start a soup kitchen. Explain your different points of view. We implore the landed proprietors in the neighbourhood of this miserable place to apply to government, if they will not do anything themselves. 16

17 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Source H 14th April 1849 Emigration from Down We observe, with regret, that much of the wealth of this county is going to America and other parts of the world. It is a bad sign, for Ulster when the Down peasantry are leaving these shores. The peasantry of Down, and Antrim are drooping under the pressures of taxation. Lord John Russell s rate scheme is driving some of our farmers out of the country. Within the last few weeks, 2000 people have left Newtownards, Lecale, and other parts of this country, for emigration to America, with their talents and money. Discussion Points 1 Where are the Down peasantry going? 2 Why? 3 What does this show about the effects of the Famine? 4 What has happened to some of the richer farmers? Why are they leaving Ulster? 5 What are some of the consequences of emigration? 17

18 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Source I Public Works This is a record of the Public Works ordered by the government in 1848 in County Down. The government was trying to give labourers at the time of the Famine employment so that their families would not starve. Men were employed to repair existing roads or build new ones or build walls or harbours. 27th May 1848 County of Down- Public Works Upper Ards No.26 To lower 162 perches of the road, from Portaferry to sea at Ballyhalbert, in Ballygela Bog, the expense not to exceed 135. Lower Ards No. 2 To repair 960 perches, road from Newtownards to Portaferry, between the Lockhouse in Gregstown and Miller s three roads in Ballyurey, the expense not to exceed 100. Upper Castlereagh No. 49 To repair 1693 perches, road from Saintfield to Down between four roads in Saintfield town and Crossgar Bridge, the expense not to exceed 200. No. 54 To repair 340 perches, road from Saintfield to Down, between Crossgar Bridge and the mearing of Lecale, the expense not to exceed 75. No. 96 To repair 1138 perches, road from Belfast to Saintfield, between. Gilwally gate and four roads in Carryduff, the expense not to exceed s. 6d. No 107 To repair 1500 perches, road from Belfast to Saintfield, between four roads in Carryduff and Comber post line, the expense not to exceed 300. No. 123 To lower hills and fill hollows, gravel over same and make fences, between Denaight Schoolhouse and Leggycorry Meetinghouse, road from Lisburn to Ballynahinch, by Larchfield, the expense not to exceed 450. No. 5 To repair 1,200 perches, road from Newtownards to Donaghadee, between six roads in Ballygrainey and the Post Office in Donaghadee, the expense not to exceed 150. No. 13 To repair 1080 perches, road from Newtownards to Donaghadee, between the barony mearing in Newtownards and the cross roads in Ballygrainey, the expense not to exceed 125. No. 63 To repair the road from Belfast to Bangor, between the barony mearing at Bangor Bog and the Post Office in Bangor, the expense not to exceed

19 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Lower Castlereagh No. 42 To repair 1232 perches, road from Belfast to Hollywood, between Hamill s Public-house in Ballyhackamore and the Maypole in Holywood, the expense not to exceed 180. No. 50 To repair 680 perches, road from Newtownards to Belfast, between three roads in Ballyorran and Wallace s Inn in Churchquarter, the expense not to exceed 175. No. 60 To repair 760 perches, road from Comber to Belfast, between Lowry s corner in Comber and Ballyrussell Bridge, the expense not to exceed 100. No. 68 To repair 1160 perches, road from Newtownards to Comber, between the barony mearing at Carleton s Bridge and Henry s house in Comber, the expense not to exceed 125. No. 72 To repair the road from Belfast to Comber, between Wallace s Inn in Churchquarter and Ballyrussell Bridge, the expense not to exceed 85. Discussion Points 1 Find the definitions of the following words: Perch, Barony, Mearing 2 Do you recognise some of the areas mentioned in the public works? 3 Why do you think the government did not just give the money to the people who were in need? 4 What does the government do today to help those in need? 5 How much did the government spend in total on road improvement in the area in 1848? (there were 20 shillings in a pound and 12 pennies in a shilling). Look up the internet and find out what that sum is equivalent to today. 6 Look carefully at the detail given about each road to be built. What is one of the prime concerns the government had about these public works? No. 80 To repair the road from Belfast to Donaghadee, between Conn s Water Bridge and Wallace s Inn in Churchquarter, the entire expense not to exceed 400 and to be divided into sections as follows :- From Conn s Water Bridge to Ballyhackamore four roads, 300 perches, the expense not to exceed s. 8d. From Ballyhackamore four roads to Castlehill Avenue, 340 perches, the expense not to exceed s.8d. From Castlehill Avenue to Wallace s Inn in Churchquarter, 340 perches, the expense not to exceed 133.6s.8d. Lecale No. 157 To repair 2560 perches, road from Downpatrick to Strangford, between 3 roads at Sandwich s in Down Demesne and Blackcauseway mill bridge the expense not to exceed s. 19

20 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Writing Frame There is evidence that a number of the landlords in County Down tried to help their tenants. For example The government did not do enough or could have done more. For example Some landlords did not do enough or could have done more. For example Overall I think the government did do/not do enough for the poor during the Famine. For example Overall I think the landlords in County Down did do/not do enough for their tenantry during the Famine. For example There is evidence that a number of better off people in County Down tried to help the poor. For example There is evidence that the government tried to help victims of the Famine. For example Some better off people did not do enough or could have done more. For example Overall I think the better off people in County Down did do/not do enough for their tenantry during the Famine. For example 20

21 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils 4 Ballee Relief Fund Learning Outcomes Pupils will be able to: Investigate primary evidence. Examine contemporary attitudes to the poor. Examine contemporary attitudes to charity. Compare and contrast the impact of the Famine on different areas. Study the three documents relating to the setting up of the Ballee Relief Fund. Source A 1 Use an atlas to locate Ballee in County Down. 2 Why was the meeting held in the National School House what would this have looked like? 3 Who is not allowed to be given soup? Why? 4 How much bread and broth was to be given? 5 How much were the destitute poor charged for their soup? 6 Who formed the Committee of the Relief fund? 7 Who had to give money (subscribe) to the relief fund? 8 What instructions were landlords given? AT A PUBLIC MEETING, HELD AT BALLEE NATIONAL SCHOOL-HOUSE Upon the 21st of January, 1847, RICHARD STITT, ESQ, HAVING BEEN CALLED TO THE CHAIR: The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to: 1st - That a Soup Kitchen be established, as soon as possible, at Ballee, for the relief of the labouring poor and destitute persons residing in that part of the Parish of Ballee, comprehended in the Ardglass Electoral Division, consisting of 17 ¼ townlands; but any other Townland can be submitted which will guarantee to pay a proportion of expenses. 2nd - No travelling beggar can be supplied by with either bread or broth from the Soup Kitchen upon any terms. 3rd Bread and broth will be distributed three days in the week (or oftener if necessary) to those entitled to receive them at the rate of, one quart of Broth and half pound of Bread for two pence, or one penny for one of them separately. Broth will be sold to all persons in the district, who may choose to pay for it, at one penny per quart. 4th The Committee of Management will consist of the three Clergymen of the Parish, and of all persons subscribing One Pound each; 5th All Townlands, distant one mile from the proposed Soup Kitchen, can have the Bread and Broth carried to them punctually, and distributed under the inspection of a Member of Committee, provided the Landlords of such townlands, or persons interested agree to pay proportionately the expense of so doing. 6th All the Farmers and persons employing Labourers, will be required to assist, by a weekly contribution, and they will be allowed for their Cottiers and other dependents, at the rate of six quarts of Broth, and six half-pounds of Bread for every shilling so contributed. Or in case the Farmer have no cottiers and have the means he will be requested to subscribe and allowed to name any indigent person in the district to receive the amount of his subscription. 7th All the Landlords must be consulted before anything is done; and they will be requested to subscribe in the Central fund to keep the pot boiling etc and also to subscribe for all destitute persons residing on their own property, in case the Farmer be unable or unwilling. 21

22 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down 4 Ballee Relief Fund Source B 1 Look at the old Ordinance Survey map of the area find the townlands mentioned. 2 Which townland had the most number of poor families. Which townland had the least? BALLEE RELIEF FUND Number of Poor Families in each Townland assisted by the Ballee Relief Committee Two Ardtoles 9 Coney Island 10 Tullycarnon 1 Two Crews 5 Two Ballyhossets 7 Two Ballynclanders 6 Two Ballybranaghs 10 Two one-fourth Ballees 8 Dillon 1 Ballycruttle 2 Carrabrachan 3 Ballinagross (upper) 16 Ballinagross (lower) 6 Ballysalla 19 Ballymurray 6 Ross 10 In all 121 families, consisting of about 600 individuals. 22

23 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils 4 Ballee Relief Fund Source C 1 Who donated the most amount of money to the relief fund? 2 Who donated the least amount of money to the relief fund? 3 Try to find out how much 20 in 1847 would be worth today. 23

24 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down 5 Life in the Workhouse Learning Outcomes Pupils will be able to: Investigate primary evidence. Examine contemporary attitudes to the poor. Examine contemporary attitudes to charity. Evaluate different types of evidence to reach conclusions about life in the past. Use imagination, reflection and empathy to increase understanding of life in the past. Enhance skills in literacy and communication. Building workhouses began in the 1830s. Before that poor people were given money to live on. The money or relief they were given was contributed by a tax or rate on better off people in a parish or town. This was known as outdoor relief and was replaced by the workhouses as they were cheaper to run. The Downpatrick workhouse opened in 1841 and was run by a Board of Guardians. The Board had a limited amount of money to run the workhouse so conditions were often harsh. The Board had to make sure that the workhouse was not attractive to every poor person or else everybody would want to live there. The Board of Guardians encouraged workhouses to produce goods to pay for the running costs by, for example, spinning or weaving cloth or grinding corn into flour. Life in the workhouse was not easy! Families were split up, food could be in short supply and disease fever could spread easily inside the workhouse. But during the Famine years, desperate people flocked to the workhouses for food and safety. Look at the following sources: A Plan of the workhouse B Diet in the workhouse C Picture of inside the workhouse D Picture of the outside of the Downpatrick workhouse E Article from the Downpatrick Recorder F Article from the Downpatrick Recorder G Article from the Downpatrick Recorder H Rules and Regulations 24

25 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Sights, Sounds, Smells of the Workhouse Divide into pairs. Close your eyes. You are going to tell your partner what you see, smell and hear as you move around the workhouse. What building do you enter first? Where do you move to next? What are you walking on? What are the inmates saying? Follow-up Activities 1 Draw a picture of your imaginary journey around the workhouse. 2 Brainstorm/Mind map all the words that come into your head to describe the sights, sounds and smells of the workhouse. 3 Write down a description of your journey. How does everybody appear? What do you smell? Sounds Sights Orders Crying Grey Uniforms Silence Workhouse Formal Touch Smells Stone Dust Musty Damp Wood Gruel 25

26 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Source A Plan of the workhouse 26

27 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Source B Diet in the Workhouse Able Adults Breakfast 200g oatmeal 568ml buttermilk Dinner 300g bread or biscuits. 284ml pea soup Sick Adults Breakfast 100g rice and Indian meal 284ml sweet milk Discussion Points 1 You could try obtaining some of the ingredients and weighing them out to see if the diet seems adequate to you. 2 Find out more about Indian meal. 3 Compare the meals to your own. 4 Do you think the workhouse diet is a healthy one? 5 During the famine years the Downpatrick Workhouse often had 1000 inmates. Can you calculate the amount of food needed for the following number of inmates: Able adults: 500 Sick adults: 100 Children under 15: 400 Dinner 200g bread or biscuits 568ml pea soup Supper 200g bread or biscuit 284ml sweet milk Children under 15 Breakfast 100g rice and Indian meal 142ml buttermilk Dinner 250g bread 568ml pea soup Supper 200g bread or biscuit 142ml sweet milk 27

28 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Source C Source D 28

29 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Source E Source F 20th March 1847 Death of the Matron of this Union Workhouse from Fever Miss McCreedy, the zealous matron of the Downpatrick Union Workhouse, died on Wednesday last, from the effects of fever caught in the discharge of her duties. We had the pleasure of knowing Miss McCreedy since she became matron to the above institution and from the excellent state of discipline in which she, had the establishment, we can truly say that her loss there will be severely felt. She was untiring in her exertions to make the house, in every respect, a pattern and it is a pattern to other workhouses. The order, comfort and cleanliness every where apparent in the house, frequently called forth eulogies from the strangers who visited it, and the assistant Poor Law Commissioner has been known to say that it is the best conducted workhouse in Ulster. Discussion Points 1 Find out what zealous means 2 Find out what eulogies means 3 Why was it important to keep the workhouse clean? 23rd December 1848 Downpatrick Union Workhouse Now, there is no workhouse in Ireland, where economy and industry are more practised than in this one. The master of the workhouse (Mr Flynn) has handed us the following details about the workhouse: First as to agriculture: there were five acres under crop this year wheat, oats, potatoes, cabbage, turnips and a variety of vegetables. This ground has been entirely cultivated by a band of paupers mostly men and boys. There are also between 20 and 24 boys trained to do tailoring and shoemaking. With regards to industry, some of the strongest women are employed in cooking, washing, baking and scourging. Others attend to the sick and young children. A number of women are employed at spinning wool, flax, tow and cotton from which raw material has been manufactured by handlooms, 3,000 yards of frieze, linen, drugget and chambrey, from which 2,800 articles of the clothing were made up in the house: this number includes shoes. Besides this above, there have been much time and work devoted to the repairs of clothing, bedding and straw for 700 inmates. The young girls are taught knitting and needle work of every description. Discussion Points 1 What do you think scourging means? 2 Why do you think the Board of Guardians were proud of the workhouse s industry and economy? 3 Can you think of any advantages of being a pauper in the workhouse? 29

30 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down Source G 17th February 1847 Downpatrick Fever Hospital We the undersigned being a committee appointed to enquire into the present state of the Fever Hospital, and to take steps towards the procuring of additional accommodation for the now rapidly increasing number of patients, feel it is our duty to submit the following Report to the consideration of the Public. There are at present under treatment, in this Hospital, about double the number of patients that the building was originally calculated to accommodate. To make room, the porter and nurses have been obliged to vacate their rooms and sleep upon baths. The store room has been emptied of its content and converted into a ward but a great number of patients have to lie upon the floor, in the spaces between the beds; and what is still worse, in many cases, two patients in one bed. Discussion Points 1 Why was the fever hospital so overcrowded in 1847? 2 Can you list some of the problems which resulted from the overcrowding? 3 Why did the hospital need help from local people? 4 What kind of help could they give? 5 Can you find out more about William Forde, J.W. Maxwell, Bernard Ward and Conway Pilson? Under these circumstances, we need scarcely point out what obstacles there must be to sufficient ventilation, and the successful treatment of the cases. We have a daily influx of patients and from the present condition of the poorer classes, and the prospect yet before them, we have every reason to dread a continued increase in still greater proportion. With this view, we appeal to you to come forward and offer us assistance according to your means. We appeal to you not only on the grounds of religious motive and Christian charity, but also on the ground of common humanity. William B. Forde, J.W. Maxwell, Bernard Ward, Conway Pilson 30

31 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils Source H Rules and Regulations of the Workhouse The paupers will be divided into the following classes: Class 1- Males above the age of 15 Class 2- Males aged between 2 and 15 Class 3- Females above the age of 15 Class 4- Girls aged between 2 and 15 Class 5- Children under 2 years of age Discussion Points 1 What are the main disadvantages of life in the workhouse? 2 Are there any advantages? What are they? 3 Which of these rules would you find the most difficult to obey? All paupers shall wear the workhouse uniform All paupers, except those who are sick, shall work during the day Every pauper shall be in bed by nine o clock at night The paupers will be inspected by the master and mistress every morning. The boys and girls will spend at least 3 hours every day being instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic and the principles of the Christian religion. They shall also have other training to help them develop habits of usefulness and industry. No pauper shall receive visitors from outside the workhouse unless the matron or master gives permission. It is forbidden to play at cards or dice. It is forbidden to smoke in the workhouse. It is forbidden to use profane language It is forbidden to enter the yard or wards of other classes of paupers It is forbidden to misbehave at prayers It is forbidden to strike any other pauper or officer Officers are forbidden from inflicting corporal punishment on the female children It is forbidden for any officer to confine a child under 12 years of age in a dark room. 31

32 Investigating the impact of the Great Irish Famine on County Down 6 Population change during and after the Famine Learning Outcomes Using a computer in the classroom pupils are going to investigate emigration figures and the population figures of Ireland during the Famine. Pupils will be able to: Draw conclusions about emigration rates and population figures from the data. Enhance skills in numeracy Discussion Points 1 Between which years was the increase in emigration most dramatic? 2 Between which 2 years did emigration rates fall? 3 Can you give any reasons why emigration rates fell? Year Emigrants What caused the emigration rates to rise so dramatically? 32

33 A Resource & Activity Pack for Key Stage Two Pupils 7 Using newspapers as a source Go back through the newspaper extracts contained in this pack. The articles published by the Downpatrick Recorder during the famine years contain a mixture of factual reporting and opinion. Can you find examples of factual reporting of events? Can you find examples of opinion as opposed to fact? Can you find examples of articles that express emotion? Can you find examples of articles that are trying to persuade people to act in a certain way? Are there any problems with using newspapers as a source of information about the past? Use the internet or the local library to look at a copy of a newspaper from the 1840s. You will notice that the appearance and style of newspapers in the past is very different to newspapers of today. Rewrite one of the articles from the Downpatrick Recorder in the style of a modern newspaper. For people living in County Down in the 1840s the newspapers were their main way of finding out about events in the wider world. Nowadays with television, the internet and social media we can find out about things as they happen. How do you think the Famine would be reported if it happened today? 33

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40 Down County Museum The Mall Downpatrick County Down Northern Ireland BT30 6AH T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) E: W: /DownCountyMuseum