Lost Children: Children In Irish Workhouses

The story of children in Irish workhouses in the 19th century with Joseph Robbins.

Archive notes:
Reports on children in workhouses.closed workhouse in Clifden.classes of child "inmates".nos. of children involved.workhouse only public charity.typical regulations, meals, inefficient schooling,little productive work.riots frequent.staff sacked for incompetence.

Life made difficult on purpose.effect of patronage.relief of poor urgent (1830), problem of poor Irish in England.1836 report suggested relief work(rejected), English Poor Law system (workhouses) adopted.wrong concept (not punishment centres in ireland) .1840 first workhouse open, children forced into workhouses.1848-govt.assisted emigration of females to Australia, reactions to scheme(ended 1850)

Australian prosperity of period.immigrants resented, sectarianism, infamy of workhouses, overcrowding.schools for crime.by 1866 boarding-out was introduced, child care improvements.role of voluntary societies and reformatories, workhouse dreaded.story in Cork letter.

Contributors: Joseph Robbins(Author), Prof.Colm Kiernan (Australia).

Presenter: Andy O'Mahony

Producer: Adrian Moynes

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries