130 Workhouses were built in Ireland in the 1840's under the Irish Poor Law Act of 1838. They were built to a standard plan designed by the English Architect George Wilkinson and varied in size to accommodate 400-1000 persons. This protected structure is perhaps the most intact workhouse surviving in Ireland today and as such of considerable architectural, historical and cultural importance. It opened in 1842 and was designed to accommodate 800 'paupers' and was closed in 1921. Unoccupied for a number of years now, the workhouse in Birr is under threat of dereliction.

Our client is currently preparing a design proposal for a major commercial office complex on the site for 400 persons. Due to the scale of the proposal and the special importance of Parsonstown Union Workhouse a detailed Architectural Heritage Assessment Report is required. Dorman Architects have been appointed as Conservation Architects to carry out this assessment,  including an evaluation of the quality of the protected structure, a detailed architectural inventory record and a comprehensive impact assessment of the proposal on this important historical complex.