The Workhouse Drawings collection contains a representative sample of drawings, plans, and documents drawn from the Irish Architectural Archive's Workhouse Collection. The Workhouse Collection (reference 85/138) in the Irish Architectural Archive includes surviving drawings for workhouses built in Ireland to provide relief for the poor. Built between 1839 and 1847, the workhouses were designed in a Tudor domestic idiom by architect George Wilkinson. Occasionally drawings are accompanied by other documents including the standard printed specification or, more rarely, items of correspondence. Many are in extremely poor condition and their extreme fragility precludes public access. This online collection provides access to drawings and documents relating to the Mallow, Castleblayney, Lismore, and Gorey workhouses. The drawings for Mallow Workhouse may be considered a representative set of the surviving drawings for the Tudor style workhouses built by Wilkinson. The majority of the drawings were produced mechanically (engraved and printed). The inclusion of drawings from Castleblayney, Lismore, and Gorey, in addition to those of Mallow, ensures that this online collection includes samples of each printed drawing.

Printed section through central section of main block. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Hand-drawn sections through dining hall/chapel. Castleblayney Union Workhouse is now part of St. Mary's Hospital.

Hand-drawn sections through laundry. Castleblayney Union Workhouse is now part of St. Mary's Hospital.

Hand-drawn sections through dining hall/chapel (GH) and laundry (IK). Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Printed interior perspective of main block shewing the construction arrangements of the sleeping platforms and Bedsteads. This copy of the interior view is from the documents relating to Lismore Workhouse.

Printed section through central section of main block. Castleblayney Union Workhouse is now part of St. Mary's Hospital.

Printed section though end wing of main block. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Printed sections through entrance block (EF) and infirmary (LM). Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.