Local Studies Department

Laying the first stone of the Celbridge Union Workhouse - August 10th, 1839

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(From a Correspondent)

It being generally known in the neighbourhood of Celbridge, that on Monday last, the first stone of the Union workhouse was to be laid at 12 o’clock, by His Grace the Duke of Leinster; members of all ranks attended to witness the ceremony. Early in the morning, Mr Regan, the contractor, raised a shears for the purpose of loosening the stone in which a chamber was formed in the centre, sufficiently large to contain a bottle. A little before 12 o’clock, His Grace arrived on the ground, accompanied by Richard Maunsel, Esq. of Oakley park, Arthur Henry, Esq. of Lodge-park, J.D. Nesbett, Esq. of Leixlip-house, Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Madden, Wm. Brown, Esq. of Ballygoran & Co. Etc.

On His Grace coming to the place the stone was to be laid, he was presented by Mr. Regan with an apron, trowel, level, and plumb rule, made on purpose for the occasion. His Grace having procured mortar, prepared the bed, and the stone was lowered, which His Grace immediately levelled and put in the Chamber a bottle containing the usual inscriptions and the different coins of the present day, which was covered with a plate inscribed, 1839. The ceremony been now over, His Grace on leaving the ground was loudly cheered. In the evening Mr. Regan entertained a few friends at the Hibernian , in Mr Bean’s (the proprietor) usual good style: on the cloth being removed, the health of her Majesty Queen Victoria was proposed and drank. His Grace the Duke of Leinster, Col. Connolly, the Lord of the Soil, Mr Maunsel and the valuation committee. - May the poor laws prove a blessing to the land we live in. Success to Mr Regan in his undertaking. Prosperity to Celbridge and her Flax Mills. Richard Maunsel Esq. and the valuation committee, may they succeed in their laborious undertaking, to the satisfaction, and the advantage of the Union.

Mr. Thos. Lee of Straffan, Celbridge, has been declared the contractor for building the Dunshaughlin Union workhouse, in the County of Meath.