News: Workhouse demolished April 3, 1909 *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Longford Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: C. Hunt February 22, 2011, 8:30 am WORKHOUSE DEMOLISHED APRIL 3, 1909 Longford Leader April 3, 1909 One of the most disastrous fires ever known in Longford took place on last Monday morning, and resulted in the total destruction of the main building of the Longford workhouse. The fire broke out in the kitchen of the master's quarters at about 2:30 in the morning and was discovered soon afterwards in a most providential manner, by Mrs Farrell, the master's wife, who was awakened by the crying of one of her children. The flames spread so rapidly that the master and his family had only time to escape to a place of safety without clothing except their night dresses, and the matron, Mrs Devlin, under whose bedroom the fire originated, has a most miraculous escape, having only time to get out of her room when the floor, bed and all collapsed into the flames beneath.