Year 7 visited Dungannon Library and The Hill of O'Neill for a workhouse experience which linked with their World Around Us topic in Term 2 'Hunger.'
The children researched the Irish Famine in Dungannon Library and found out about the Dungannon Workhouse, before being admitted to the workhouse in Ranfurly House. The workhouse experience was led by Mrs Mc Kinley as the workhouse Matron. Mrs Mc Kinley had everyone shaking in their shoes and informed them of the reasons they were there, and the few ways in which they might be able to leave! In the workhouse the children were given uniforms and admission sheets and they became fully immersed in the famine era workhouse.
The children learned about different aspects of the workhouse system, and took part in discussions about the legacies of the famine and in particular emigration. The children were introduced to the 1901 and 1911 census as a way of tracking changes in the Cabragh locality. Some of the children were delighted to see their own family names in the census!
Such a wonderful experience of living history and so much learning! Please enjoy the photos below!
