Workhouse Museum

The Workhouse opened in 1840, closed as a Workhouse in 1948 but continued to be used as a hospital until 1991. A group of local historians managed to save some of the original Workhouse building from demolition and this is where the museum and the Waterside branch library are now housed.

The Museum occupies two floors of the old Workhouse building and opened in 1997. The building is of great historical interest and a number of ghostly residents are said to haunt the building and surrounding area.
At present the exhibition includes:

• The Atlantic Memorial exhibition, dealing with the extensive part played by Derry in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II
• Artefacts and archives on display throughout the building relating to Workhouse life, 19th century poverty and the Famine

The venue is regularly used for temporary and travelling exhibitions.

The Workhouse is also the location for the Museum Service’s reminiscence project – Valuing Heritage by Valuing Memories. This is a project, funded by the Heritage lottery Fund, encourages people of all ages to use the everyday activity of reminiscing to appreciate their memories as a rich resource for themselves, their families and their communities. 

For further information contact:
Deirdre Doherty – Project Worker
Tel: 028 7131 8328
Email: deirdredoherty@rnni.org

 

Contact

Workhouse Museum   
23 Glendermott Road   
Waterside    
BT48 6BG

Telephone: 028 7131 8328
Fax: 028 7137 7633
E-mail: museums@derrycity.gov.uk

 

Opening hours

Mon - Thursday and Saturday - 10 am to 5pm
Admission free
 

Facilities

• Two large meeting rooms, which can each seat up to fifty people
• Specialist speakers on World War 2 can be arranged with prior notice
• Education tours for Key Stages 2 and 3 with support materials are available
• Coach parking outside the building
• Access for disabled
• Toilets available

Links