Bully's Acre is the name of a cemetery that originally formed part of the Drogheda Workhouse. The area served as a burial ground for paupers and is estimated to be 150 years old. This heritage site is located opposite St. Mary’s Calvary Cemetry on Blackbush Lane, and a large Celtic Cross stands at its centre.

Background

The poor law union act was introduced to Ireland in 1838 and each union had its own workhouse, which was built for the relief of the distressed. The Drogheda union workhouse was erected just off the Dublin road on land that was leased from a woman named Heaney, with the lease dating to April 1840.

The Drogheda workhouse was similar in plan to many of the other institutions that were erected in Ireland at this time. It was designed by the architect, George Wilkinson and consisted of a reception to the front with the main workhouse situated some 130 metres to the rear of this building.

An elected board of guardians were responsible for the well-being of the inmates, however such places were rife with diseases and sickness and when families were left destitute in their appalling mud cabins, they had no choice but to enter the workhouse, where they were then split up from each other. Often, the board of guardians provided relief work to the poor in a pitiful attempt to keep them out of the workhouse. This work consisted of constructing roads, bridges, etc; called new line roads, many of which were constructed during the famine years of the mid 19 century.

The workhouse continued until 1924 and then became a district hospital, known locally as the 'Spike', it remained until the 1960s when it was demolished and replaced by Boyne View House. The foundation stone of the workhouse bearing the date, 1841, may be seen outside the entrance door to Millmount Museum.

The Drogheda union workhouse had its own burial ground, known as Bully's Acre, and it is possible that the cemetery here pre-dated that of the workhouse. The origins of the name are unclear, however at Kilmainham in Dublin, there is also a place called Bully's Acre, which is believed to be Dublin's oldest cemetery. The order of St. John of Jerusalem, the Knights Hospitallers, may also have been associated with Bully's Acre at Kilmainham in the 13th century and it is worth noting that this same order were also at Drogheda during this period.

The last known pauper to be buried here was in 1928.

Recorded Monument Reference number: LH024-038

Category and Townland: Burial Ground, LAGAVOOREN

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