Poor Law Union Archives 2026
Conservation of Poor Law Union Archives
With the kind assistance of funding from the Heritage Council under the Heritage Council Stewardship Fund 2026, Louth County Archives was delighted to carry out a project where several volumes of minute books from the poor law union archive collection (Workhouse Board of Guardians) received professional conservation treatment. The volumes had been in very poor condition and suffered broken spines and covers, damage from dirt, tears and damp prior to treatment.
Under the 1838 Poor Law Act, in response to the widespread destitution, the country was divided into poor law unions, each with its own workhouse and each governed by a Board of Guardians. In Louth there were three such unions: Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk.
The minute books, which record the proceedings of weekly meetings, are the most voluminous series of archives surviving from the poor law unions. They document the running of the workhouses, the collection of rates, correspondence with their central body, the Poor Law Commissioners and others, as well as reports on issues arising in the workhouse, or on the provision of public health, or in relation to local and national events. Attitudes to poverty, the destitute, infirm, or children can be traced and from the late nineteenth century, references to the rise of nationalism can be found. The archives are an invaluable research source for all those who may be interested in the subject including local or social historians.
A total of twelve minute books dating from the nineteenth century received professional conservation treatment and rebinding. The minute books relate to the Drogheda and the Dundalk poor law unions. Prior to treatment, the minute books were not fully accessible as this would only undermine them further. The treatment provided included: volumes disbound, cleaned, page and surface cleaning/washing/sizing as required. All volumes required rebinding. Page repairs, tears, folds and spine joints, was done in Kozo toned Japanese repair papers with wheatstarch paste. Sizing of old water damaged pages was carried out throughout the volumes.
Treatment stabilises the items and helps secure their permanent preservation. It also opens access up to users who can consult the minute books under supervision in the research room of the County Archives. Anyone interested in viewing or researching the poor law union archives can contact Louth County Archives by emailing archive@louthcoco.ie or by telephoning 042-9324358 to make an appointment.
Ceangal, the Local Authority Heritage Programme, is delivered in partnership between the Heritage Council and Local Government Ireland.
Before images of items requiring treatment:
After images of items:
