In the Ireland of 1800 with a population of eight million it is estimated that two million were living in varying degrees of destitution. In 1838 the Irish Poor Relief Act was passed and across the country Commissioners set up 163 Poor Law Unions each with a workhouse.
Each had a Board of Guardians (29 members – mainly from the landed gentry plus 9 ex-officio members). The Omagh Union was larger than most taking in an area of 272 square miles. A suitable six acre site was identified between Woodside Terrace and St Julian’s Road and George Wilkinson (an Oxford architect) was selected to draw up plans. The Board of Guardians borrowed funds from the Exchequer Loan Office on the basis of a long term loan. The contract for £6557 was agreed in 1839 and building opened in 1841.
The standard design was on the basis of full segregation of the 800 inmates – men, women, boys and girls. The complex included an admissions block, exercise yards, dormitory blocks, a kitchen, dining hall, school room, infirmary, laundry, a building called the idiots’ block and a mortuary (or dead house). Kenneth included the only surviving photograph of the Omagh building – an excellent shot of the Admissions Block.
The Omagh Union had a working farm and an agriculturist so the daily activities were farming and breaking stones for men and laundry and food preparation for women. Daily routine consisted of a 6am bell, 6.30 roll call, prayers, grace and breakfast. 7.30 work. 12noon to 2pm dinner, 2pm back to work.
The regime was harsh and boys were caned for misbehaviour. However there is some evidence that Omagh may have been a more progressive institution. In 1880 the Master took 40 children on an excursion to Bundoran.
There are very few remaining records so Kenneth searched back copies of the Constitution for reports relating to the workhouse. During the famine occupancy rose to 1177 inmates and fever spread rapidly. In 1848 George Wilkinson was brought back to design a Fever Hospital.
Many workhouses were converted into hospitals (for example Limavady) but in 1922 a meeting of the Board of Guardians decided not to follow this route as the Tyrone County Hospital fulfilled that role.
In 1948 the NHS arrived and the workhouse finally closed its doors after 107 years. The building then became Omagh General Hospital and a maternity wing was added.
In 1954 when Omagh Rural District Council occupied part of the building Kenneth was employed as a Building Surveyor and he was based in an office there.
In 2006 the Workhouse/General Hospital was demolished and it is a matter of considerable regret that today there is no evidence on site that this iconic building ever existed.