The Irish Penny Journal, Vol. 1 No. 35, February 27, 1841

The entrance front building, forming a distinct structure, is placed about 150 feet in advance of the main building, and consists of one door (above the ground), on which the Board-room and clerk’s office are placed; underneath these are the waiting-hall, in which applicants for relief are received, and a room for a porter, who has charge of the paupers on their admission, for the purpose of seeing that they are washed, cleaned, and clothed in the workhouse dress; he is therefore placed near the probationary wards. Distinct wards are also provided for vagrants receiving temporary relief. This arrangement of the probationary and vagrant wards secures the vicinity of the body of the house from the risk of infection from persons previous to their being examined and declared free from disease.
The main building is separated from the entrance front by a courtyard and garden, which divide the two front yards for the boys and girls; the centre of the main building contains the master’s house, which is placed immediately among all classes, and from which ready access is had to any of the rooms; the kitchen offices are close under the master and matron’s inspection, as well as the several stores.
The wash-house and kitchen offices are placed in a situation distinct from the paupers in the yards, and none but those immediately employed in them have access thereto; on each side the master’s house are placed the rooms for children, who have separate staircases, used also by the master and matron; the extreme wings contain on the ground floor rooms for the old and infirm people, and some accommodation also for the able-bodied, which class, however, being employed (the women in the wash-house, &c., and the men at a mill, in breaking stones, or other useful occupation,) the same extent of day room is not requisite. The chapel and dining hall answers three purposes, inasmuch as it also serves, by means of a double partition, for day rooms for able-bodied men and women, should occasion require it. The situation of this building as a dining-hall is, from its central position, best suited for all classes, and is most convenient as regards the serving the food from the kitchen; the two rooms for boys and girls will also serve the purpose of a chapel, if required.