limavady workhouse

[rhubarb]

If a person Died at the workhouse (Limavady) because of illness and they were buried in a paupers grave. would this grave be on the site or at one of the local churches?

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
    If someone died in the workhouse relatives or friends were given the opportunity to take the body and arrange the funeral themselves. I am aware of several people who died in Limavady workhouse who are buried in Dungiven Parish Church. It is possible that the funeral costs would be borne by the ratepayers of the electoral district where the pauper had originally lived. If no friends or relatives came forward then the pauper would be buried in the workhouse burial ground. The Limavady workhouse graveyard is just off Scroggy Road near the workhouse. The land was bought by the Guardians in 1848. For six years before this they were buried in the original workhouse grounds but I am uncertain of exactly where.

Regards

[rhubarb]

many thanks for clearing that one up .

[betty53]

Dear kingskerswell

I did't know about the burials around the actual workhouse itself - was anything ever discovered when buildings like the health centre and other houses were built on much later?

Regards

Betty

[kingskerswell]

Betty,
        I am not aware of any remains found in the grounds and Damien Corr has never mentioned any. It was common practice in Irish workhouses to bury the dead locally but several workhouses found that their water supply was being contaminated so the Poor Law Commissioners instructed all workhouse Guardians to arrange burials remote from the water supply. The Limavady Guardians minutes record the purchase of the ground now known as the Paupers Graveyard in Scroggy Road in 1848.

Regards