St. Patrick's Hospital

At the top of summer hill, there is a large building with a lot of grounds. In 1841, it was a work-house. An Gorta Mor took place in Ireland between 1845-1849. The famine spread to Leitrim and thousands of people died. People from the Carrick-on-Shannon area ,who were starving during the Famine ,came to the workhouse for food. They also came for shelter if they had been evicted. Conditions in the workhouse were appalling and many people died there. At the back of the hospital, there is a famine graveyard where famine victims are buried. In this century, the old workhouse is now a hospital and County Home. Elderly people are cared for there. There is a Day care centre there too. My mother works in the hospital as a chef. The nurses are very kind and they give you drinks sometimes.