Union Workhouse, Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Union Workhouse, Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland
Female lunatic inmates sit in an airing yard at the Cootehill Union Workhouse, County Cavan, Ireland
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4420555
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10418784
Airing Brick Cavan Fresh Health Inmate Inmates L Aw Lunatic Lunatics Mental Poor Poverty Psychiatric Treatment Workhouse Workhouses Yard 1895
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in the history of the Union Workhouse in Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland, during the late 1890s. The image shows a group of female inmates sitting in an airing yard, bathed in the fresh air and sunshine. The Union Workhouse, established in the mid-19th century as part of the Irish Poor Law, was designed to provide shelter and support for the destitute and infirm. However, the living conditions were often harsh, with overcrowding, poor nutrition, and inadequate medical care leading to widespread suffering and disease. The treatment of those deemed mentally ill or "lunatic" was particularly controversial. They were often housed in separate wards or institutions, where they were subjected to harsh regimes and inhumane conditions. In this photograph, the women appear to be dressed in simple, drab clothing, and their expressions suggest a mix of resignation and despair. The stone walls and treatment rooms in the background hint at the institutional setting, while the brick buildings and airing yard speak to the efforts to provide some semblance of fresh air and outdoor space. The Union Workhouse in Cootehill closed in the mid-20th century, and the site has since been redeveloped. However, this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities faced by those who sought refuge there during the Victorian era. It also highlights the importance of understanding the history of mental health care and the evolution of institutions and treatments over time.
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