Christmas in the workhouse

Despite the drudgery of everyday life in the workhouse, the guardians and staff ensured that small comforts were given to the ‘inmates’ at Christmas. In 1860, for example,  ‘inmates’ were allowed tea  and bread  for supper on  Christmas night — the cost of which the guardians stipulated was not to exceed £3. It was a rare treat for the ‘inmates’. Over the years they were lucky to have had the generosity of a number of women in the locality who organised events. They were led by Miss Hamilton, daughter of Archdeacon Hamilton of Desertmartin and Mrs Ash of Bellaghy amongst others. A Christmas tree was purchased for the children, as were toys and sweets, while the tea, sugar and tobacco were given to those in the infirmary wards. On other occasions at Christmas grapes, apples, oranges and figs were sent to the workhouse for the ‘inmates’. At Christmas in 1899 the ‘inmates’ were treated to tea, fruit cake and pudding. A quarter of a century later the tradition was still kept up, with Miss Chichester and Miss Maitland on a gramophone, the ‘inmates’ were treated to Christmas carols as visitors to the workhouse took the opportunity of joining in with the festivities. The Christmas tree was usually erected in the girls’ schoolroom, while in the early 1900s picture shows were provided for the children and their names called out for presents.