A Memorial Lecture in a series dedicated to the late Walter Walsh, a valued member of Tullaherin Dúchas Society will be held in Thomastown Concert Hall on Friday 6th February at 7.30pm. Treasa Wemyss will speak on the History of Thomastown Workhouse and, in particular the Women of Thomastown Workhouse. All are welcome.
Hosted by Dúchas – Tullaherin Heritage Society. The Dúchas Heritage Society will publish the 14th Volume of “In The Shadow Of the Steeple later this year. Walter Walsh had material included in all the early editions. In The Shadow Of The Steeple was first published in 1987 and covers a catchment area loosely bounded by the villages of Gowran and Bennettsbridge, and the town of Thomastown.
THOMASTOWN WORKHOUSE, FORGOTTEN VOICES OF THE WORKHOUSE WOMEN.
Having retired from her job as a language teacher, Thomastown native, Teresa Wemyss, decided to do some research on her family tree. She was shocked to discover that her great-grandfather, Paddy Minogue, was born in Thomastown Workhouse, now St. Columba’s Hospital. This led her on a voyage of discovery about the history of Thomastown Workhouse, its architecture, but most importantly the story of its inmates. Shockingly, she discovered that it was home to many of the county’s unmarried mothers, some of whom never left. Shunned by society, disowned by their families and worst of all, abandoned by their lovers, these women suffered untold hardship. Referred to as ‘offenders’, these women were treated as criminals with little or no recourse to justice.
Join Teresa for a talk in The Concert Hall, Thomastown Community Centre, on Friday, February 6th, at 7.30 p.m., where the lives of these forgotten women will be brought to life.
