The Clonakilty Workhouse was situated one mile from the town in the town land of Scartagh. The site comprised of 3 acres including buildings. It was built in 1852-3 at a cost of £8,300 including fittings. The Workhouse was divided by high walls into different sections for men and women with a common dining room. During the Famine whole families were admitted in a dying state from all parts of West Cork mostly due to starvation. The origin of the saying: “Going to Clonakilty, God help us.” In January 11th 1887 the Sisters of Mercy were requested by the Board of Guardians to take charge of the two storey Workhouse (Fever) Hospital building at the rear of the enclosure for acutely ill patients. The other 3storey building housed the remainder of the inhabitants- men, women and children. Total inmates in those days was about 500. In May 1887 Srs. Catherine O’Brien, who had been matron in Waterford Hospital, Benedict Murphy and Magdalen Walshe (nurses) who had been in Waterford also, got charge of the Workhouse Hospital and Sr. Martha Heron attended to the little convent. (She was known as “The Holy Water Nun” owing to her lavish sprinkling each night!).
During the War of Independence (1919-1921) many workhouses in different towns around Ireland were burned down. The front building at entrance to Clonakilty workhouse was occupied by the Black and Tans and it too was burned down.
County Home
When the War of Independence and the Civil War were over the new State inaugurated the scheme for the amalgamation of workhouses. Workhouse inmates were transferred from all the West Cork area to Clonakilty Workhouse, henceforward designated “West Cork County Home.” In November 1925 arrangements with the Local Government were complete. Sr. Brigid O’ Mahony was sent to the County Home as matron and with extra Sisters to staff the whole area.
Sacred Heart District Hospital
The front building of the old workhouse which had been occupied by the Black and Tans and burned down was rebuilt on modern lines to serve as a District Hospital called Sacred Heart Hospital. Sr. Bernadette Leahy, Kinsale, a trained nurse, came for three years to help in the Hospital. (Sacred Heart Hospital).
The County Home and the Sacred Heart Hospital were run by the West Cork Board of Health with two matrons and separate administration. In 1953 at the County Council meeting it was suggested that the name of County Home would be changed to Mount Carmel to get away from the Workhouse/ County Home image.
New Geriatric Hospital 1971
Between 1965 and 1968 various plans had been drawn up by architects and forwarded to the Department of Health for sanction- regarding the reconstruction of the existing buildings or the building of a modern Geriatric Hospital. Finally, the Department of Health sanctioned the estimated cost of £340,000 covering the demolition and replacement of all the existing buildings with the exception of the two storey block at the rear which was to be reconstructed on modern lines. The building /reconstruction of a new modern Geriatric Hospital began on the 17th of August 1965 and was completed in November 1970. Contractor: Messrs Pat O’Shea & Co. Cork. Architect: Mr. P.L. McSweeney -Board’s Architect.
Amalgamation of Mount Carmel Home and Sacred Heart District Hospital 1971
The amalgamation of Mount Carmel Home and the Sacred Heart District Hospital took place 8 February 1971. It was known as Clonakilty Community Hospital and Long Stay Unit. Mount Carmel Home and Hospital Clonakilty. In the following years new facilities were opened sometimes with the support of voluntary subscriptions.
Present day: Clonakilty Community Hospital
The hospital is now called Clonakilty Community Hospital. Continuing, respite, community support, palliative and dementia care are provided and the number of residents that can be accommodated is 153. Accommodation is available across five units named Saoirse, An Ghraig, Dochas, Crionna and Sonas with designated male and female wards. The residential unit itself has a warm and friendly atmosphere that enables elderly residents have all the comforts of home and in a safe environment.
Mount Carmel Hospital Convent:
1976-2018
The building of the new Mt. Carmel convent commenced in 1974 it was completed by 1976. It is a one storey L shaped building. beautifully situated overlooking the town, country and /Clonakilty Bay. As Sisters retired, died, or moved into other ministries some rooms were unoccupied.
The Southern Health Board requested four rooms for a ‘Speech and Language Therapy Clinic.’ That clinic is in operation since 2004. In 2009 extra rooms were taken over for other functions-dieticians, computers etc.
In June 2018 Mount Carmel convent finally closed. A closing ceremony was held 15 June 2018 and on Saturday 23 June 2018 the last two Sisters left the Mount Carmel Hospital Convent and joined the community in Arús Muire Convent, Clonakilty.
Southern Province 