The House of Industry was established as a consequence of the 1772 Act passed in the Irish House of Commons to establish Poor Houses and Work Houses in every county in Ireland. In 1773, the county and city Grand Juries of Limerick presented £500 for the erection of a workhouse in the city and the Protestant Bishop Gore granted the land for the building on the North Strand.
The Inmates of the House of Industry consisted of the aged poor, the destitute, the sick and deserted women and children. Life with the House was rigidly controlled. At nightfall a bell was rung, when all the inmates had to retire to their respective wards, and were locked up until morning. In the morning all of the able-bodied had to work at occupations such as weaving, spinning, opening up hair for upholsters and oakum for ship chandlers. A third of the profit from these labours were given to workers, a quarter to the house steward, and the remainder to the funds of the institution.
Breakfast for the inmates generally consisted of bread and milk, and dinner consisted of potatoes and sour milk. Misconduct was punished by confinement and deprivation of food. The Sisters of Mercy made visits to the House in order to care for the sick.
The House of Industry closed down in May 1841, and all inmates were transferred to the new Limerick Union Workhouse on Shelbourne Road. The House of Industry building later became known as the Strand Barracks and was used by Limerick Corporation as its main depot and stores.
Archival History ↴
The General Registry of Inmates of the House of Industry was donated by Lord Limerick to the Mayor of Limerick in 1989.
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Donation
Content & Structure
Scope & Content: House of Industry, Limerick ↴
General Registry of Inmates (1774-1793) which lists the age, sex, and condition of every inmate in the workhouse including their reasons for leaving the House.
