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.

The Fifth Annual Report of the Poor Law Commissioners, May 1839. Includes details of "the measures which [the Commissioners] have adopted for introducing into Ireland the provision of the Act of last session, for the more effectual Relief of the Destitute Poor in Ireland". The Appendices which accompany the Report contain 'Documents Issues by the Board Under the Irish Poor relief Act', with Section 9 consisting of 'Papers as to the Providing of Workhouses in Ireland' and Section 10 consisting of 'Plans, &c., of Workhouses for Ireland, to contain from 400 to 800 paupers'. Two ground plans were included, one for a 400 to 500 person workhouse and one for an 800 person workhouse. Each plan was accompanied by a 'Bird’s Eye View Shewing the General Arrangement' for the building. These drawings constitute templates for the Tudor-style first wave of workhouses by architect George Wilkinson from which the constructed buildings did not significantly deviate. An important feature of the design was its flexibility; "the pans [were] so arranged as to allow of [an] addition being made without either interfering with the part already executed, or occasioning any sacrifice of the previous outlay".

Circular from the Architects' Office, Poor Law Commission Office to clerks of works advising them on actions to take in the event of frost damage. This circular is from the documents relating to Castleblayney Workhouse.

Circular from the Architects' Office, Poor Law Commission Office to clerks of works about the fitting of windows and instructions on keeping a notebook of 'every matter relating to the Building of a unsatisfactory nature'. This circular is from the documents relating to Castleblayney Workhouse.

Circular from the Architects' Office, Poor Law Commission Office to clerks of works about the laying of flagging inside external doors and other details about the construction of external doors. This circular is from the documents relating to Castleblayney Workhouse.

Note to a Mr Stuart requesting that he inspect a ventilator at Mallow 'which admits rain & ascertain the cause' and that he mark on the ground plan 'the exact arrangement of all the steps and inclines to the fronts of the Doorways' and the exact locations of drains. This note is from the documents relating to Mallow Workhouse.

Specification of Works Required to be Performed in the erection of the Union Workhouse by George Wilkinson, Alexander Thom, Dublin. Printed with mss additions. This copy of the specifications is from the documents relating to Mallow Workhouse. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

A revised Specification of Works. This copy of the revised specifications is from the documents relating to Castleblayney Workhouse.

Circular from the Architects' Office, Poor Law Commission Office to clerks of works about the proper construction and fitting of windows. This circular is from the documents relating to Castleblayney Workhouse.

Printed elevation, section and plan of door, with 'observations'. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

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

"Drawing shewing general construction of the window frames and cast Iron lights. The Windows which are of different sizes to the one shewn are to have the construction similar, the lights to be calculated for size". Printed drawing with inside and outside elevations of window, plans above and below transom, section and full size details. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Printed drawing showing plan and elevation of timber structure of dormer window, front and side elevations of finished exterior of dormer windows, plans of window above and below transom, half- and full-size details. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Printed elevation, section and plan, with notes, for washing trays in laundry. This drawing is from the documents relating to Mallow Workhouse. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

First floor plan of two-storey elements (entrance, main block and infirmary) with roof-timber and roof plans of single storey elements (dining block/chapel and wings to infirmary). 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.

Printed drawing showing plan above and below sills, with section. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Printed elevation and plan of door. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Printed elevation, section and plans of upper (glazed) and lower (panelled) areas of door, with full-size section of glazing bar in upper area. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

Printed elevation showing 'Pattern of Gable Boards (to be in one width) for Infirmary Building'. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.

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

Full-size profile of bricks for string course and label molding over door and windows at front entrance.

Printed elevations and plans showing 'manner of construction' of 'Privies between Idiots Yards and Men and Women's Yards', 'Privies at rere of the Infirmary buildings', 'Cesspool under Dead House' and 'Cesspools in Boys and Girls Yards'. Mallow Union Workhouse is now Mallow General Hospital.