Diary Entries from the Workhouse in the Famine Times

FAMINE (1847)Workhouses
 Dear Diary,
 Today one of the girls was beaten because she didn’t wash the sheets properly. She got flogged then she took one stroke of the cat o’ nine tails. Today for dinner was the usual, water like soup, which tasted bitter and bread that was stale. Apart from all that, the day was normal. Same people, same terrible jobs. Sometimes I wish to die or to escape. Either way I die. My landlord (he exiled us)blamed shortage of potatoes, on this ‘blight’. Curse this wretched famine. I wish I could swap places with my cousin. He’s probably sitting in front of the fire, drinking tea, in America. Sometimes I want to kill Mr. Hughes. By the way he's the owner of this dreadful place. But then I remember what my mum taught me and I would never want to disrespect her memory. Mr.Hughes is a short ,skinny ,bald man with a beard. Everyday I wake up at 4 o’ clock in the morning and go to sleep at 11 o’clock. Diary I need to get to sleep!! The END

This Diary entry was composed by Awais.

Dear Diary
My name is Cathal Cosgrave
I am 10 years old. I was forced to move into the Castlebar workhouse on July 9th 1845 because we had no money to pay the rent on our house. I have two brothers and two sisters. We were very cold and hungry when we enrolled for the workhouse.  My Dad, my two brothers and I were separated from our Mum and two sisters.

If we are lucky we get two meals a day if not two, we get 1/3 quarter- milk and two slices of disgusting stale bread for every meal. We get up at 6 am and work for the whole day. Our bed is made of straw and is not at all comfy.

I am tired and lonely and sad and I miss my family because we are not allowed to talk. God help  me.

This Diary Entry was composed by Cathal C.
Dear Diary

       My name is Séanóg O”Neill and I’m hungry and when I say I’m hungry I’m about to starve to death! I’m not hungry for some Tayto crisps because I”ve never tasted them. I’m hungry for a hot bowl of soup to warm up me bones like the one I had on Christmas Day back in the good old times .Now I’m stuck with grouchy old Mr.Hackett .The only person that I wanted to be with was my Father Séan who died two years ago .Today some older boys stole my dinner ant I got beaten by Mr.Hackett. Life is so dull and miserable here and uhh ohh here comes Mr.Hackett I better pretend to be asleep but God get me out of here!

This Diary Entry was composed by Tomás W.

Céard a itheann tú don bhricfeásta?

pancóg tósta arán donn subh marmaláid calóga arbhair criospaí ríse ubh bhruite ubh scrofa ubh friochta ubh scallta ispíní slisíní bagúin pudóg dubh pudóg bán bricfeasta iomlán Éireannach léite Bricfeasta veigeatóra scóna im sú úll/oráiste cupán tae gloine bainne cupán caife gloine uisce

The Irish Potato Famine

This week we have been learning about the Irish Potato Famine. We have been exploring the interactive website www.irishpotatofamine.org which gives us an insight into what life was like during the famine. We have been reading about the Landlords of the time and the workhouses. 163 workhouses were built in Ireland from 1840 to 1853. If a family was starving to death, their last resort was the workhouse. The Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar operated as a Workhouse from 1842 until 1921. The workhouse buildings have since been demolished however the Sacred Heart Hospital now lies on the site. This Summer the Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD unveiled a memorial plaque on the site of the Sacred Heart Hospital in memory of the people who lived and now rest on the site of the hospital. To learn more about the famine in Mayo click on this link from the Mayo County Library. To learn more about the Workhouse in Castlebar Click here Click here to learn a little bit more about the Moore's of Moorehall - considered to be amoung the good landlords. Click here to listen to the children of Ballyglass NS telling the story of the famous horse Coranna.

The Great Wave

This week we have been reading an extract of a story from Eilish Dillon's book - The Sea Wall. In the story Sally remembers how a big wave flooded the island of Inisharcain, off the coast of Ireland, twenty nine years ago. Sally fears that there is going to be another wave again due to the signs the animals have been giving her. Can you find out about times when animals have predicted natural disasters?

William comes 1st in Crossmolina Boxing Tournament.

Congratulations to William,who came first in the Crossmolina Boxing tournament. William trains with The Eagles Boxing club in Westport. He trains four nights a week. His opponent was from Crossmolina. He was not nervous going into the fight. He won 2 rounds to 1. He was delighted with his win and his winning trophy. Well done William.

Italy

Today in class we were learning about Italy. We looked at the following website. http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/italy List four facts you have learned about Italy in the comments box.

Gaeilge - Cén t-am é?

This week we are learning about the language of time as gaeilge. Here are some useful phrases........ Cén t-am é? What time is it? Cad é an data? What date is it? Inniu Today Amárach Tomorrow Inné Yesterday Anocht Tonight Aréir Lastnight Anuraidh Last year Arú amárach The day after tomorrow Arú inné The day before yesterday Lá arna mhárach The day after tomorrow. Seachtain ó amárach A week from tomorrow. Seachtain ó inniu A week from today. Coicís o shin A fortnight ago I mblianta This year Tá tú mall. You are late. Tá tú luath. You are early. Le garid. Recently Méan lae Midday Mean oíche Midnight Nóin Noon Go mall Slowly Go Tapa Quickly Is maith an scealaí an aimsir. Time will tell. Díreach in am Just in time. Ó am go ham From time to time. Leathuair tar éis Half past Ceathrú tar éis Quarter past Ceathrú chun Quarter to Níor tháinig sé fós. He has not arrived yet. Bí in am. Be on time.

SITE OF THE WEEK - Read Theory - Reading Comprehension Site

We have started using a great new website called Read Theory. www.readtheory.org . All of the boys have their own usernames and password to log in. This site provides us with opportunities to develop our comprehension skills by firstly accessing lots of reading material & then completing simple assessments on the material which we have read.