Bailieborough Bridewell visitor centre launched

Minister Heather Humphreys joined Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council Cllr TP O’Reilly in officially launching the Bailieborough Bridewell visitor centre on Thursday, 12th December, ahead of its opening to the public in Spring 2025.

In one of her last official acts as Minister for Rural and Community Development, following her decision not to stand in November’s general election, Minister Humphreys cut the ribbon on the visitor centre and exhibition space, which, when open, will see the conclusion of a €2.5 million investment in the Bailieborough Courthouse Economic and Tourism Hub.

This project to develop a visitor centre and museum space is the result of a unique partnership between Cavan County Council, Bailieborough Development Association CLG – whose members have worked behind the scenes for over 20 years to make the renovated Courthouse and Bridewell a reality – and The Ulster Scots Agency. Bailieborough Development Association will jointly manage the facility with Cavan County Council.

Bailieborough Bridewell was constructed in 1833 and closed in 1900. From early next year, visitors to Bailieborough will be able to enjoy this immersive visitor experience, which tells the story of the Bridewells that were established in many towns during the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily to house petty criminals, vagrants, those awaiting trial, and sometimes children. It is a macabre and darkly captivating insight into our past.

Funding for the €2.5 Economic and Tourism Hub was supplied by Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Cavan County Council, and the Ulster Scots Agency, with funding previously received from the department through the REDZ programme, Town and Village Renewal and PEACE IV.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Humphreys said the project has “revitalised Bailieborough and highlighted its historical and cultural importance”.

“This historic Courthouse has been redeveloped as an economic, community and cultural hub and includes a Plantation Museum, cultural and exhibition space. The Plantation Museum is the first of its kind on the island of Ireland. The building will also be used extensively by the community, as a community space, a performance space and for exhibitions,” said Minister Humphreys.

“This project’s location in the centre of the town will have a transformative effect on Bailieborough, facilitating a variety of civic, social and community uses and highlighting its historical and cultural importance for Cavan and for all of Ulster.”

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr TP O’Reilly said, “The Bailieborough Courthouse Economic and Tourism Hub has been a great addition to Bailieborough, and this fantastic Bridewell visitor centre and museum will be the cherry on top, providing visitors to the town an opportunity to discover the rich history of this town and the dark past of the Bridewell – fascinating glimpse into our past. It’s further example of the continuing investment by Cavan County Council into our towns and villages, none of which would be possible without the support of Minister Humphreys and her Department. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank her for her support, and to wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement from public life”.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle, added, “The Bailieborough Bridewell visitor centre and museum, which will open early next year, is another example of the extraordinary legacy of Heather Humphrey’s ministerial tenure, during which she and her Department have recognised the potential of Cavan and its communities. We wish Minister Humphreys well in the next chapter of her life, and look forward to continuing to work with her officials, our Oireachtas members, and of course, our 18 councillors, who have been stalwart in their support of this project and many other across County Cavan”.

Bailieborough Bridewell visitor centre and museum will open to the public in early 2025. For more information on Bailieborough Courthouse Economic and Tourism Hub, follow ‘Bailieborough Courthouse’ on Facebook and Instagram.

Pictured launching the Bailieborough Bridewell visitor centre, which will open to the public early next year, are (from left) Cllr Sarah O’Reilly, Chair Bailieborough-Cootehill MD; Cllr TP O’Reilly, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council; Jim Maguire, Bailieborough Development Association; Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys; Ian Crozier, CEO, The Ulster Scots Agency; Deputy Niamh Smyth TD; Brendan Jennings, Director of Service, Cavan County Council; Cllr Niall Smith. PHOTO: Adrian Donohoe.
Pictured launching the Bailieborough Bridewell visitor centre, which will open to the public early next year, are (from left) Cllr Sarah O’Reilly, Chair Bailieborough-Cootehill MD; Cllr TP O’Reilly, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council; Jim Maguire, Bailieborough Development Association; Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys; Ian Crozier, CEO, The Ulster Scots Agency; Deputy Niamh Smyth TD; Brendan Jennings, Director of Service, Cavan County Council; Cllr Niall Smith. PHOTO: Adrian Donohoe.

 

Further information

The Building

Bailieborough Courthouse was erected in 1817, with the addition of the Bridewell Jail in 1833, for the use of the inhabitants of Co. Cavan. The jailer and his family lived on the first floor above the detention cells. The Bridewell was built in 1833 as a place to keep prisoners awaiting trial in the adjoining Courthouse or being held overnight for minor offences. It also served as the home for the Jailor, known to all as the ‘Keeper’. The Bridewell closed in 1900 and became living quarters for the Courthouse caretaker. In disrepair for many years, it was restored by Cavan County Council in 2024 and now houses a permanent exhibition about the building, the people who lived here and the story of the Three Folk – Gaels, Ulster-Scots and English – who made this part of Ulster their home.

The Ulster Scots connection

Bailieborough, as the most southerly planted town in Ulster, to this day has a high percentage of its local population of Scottish descent. The Ulster Scots Agency has been very keen to develop a working relationship with local schools and community organisations in the Bailieborough area to promote its work and work collaboratively with the local community for mutual benefit. The agency has provided grant aid and put the Bridewell and Courthouse on its Ulster Scots Heritage Trail of Cavan Monaghan due to the significance of the town in the lives of the Scottish settlers that founded it in the 1600s. The agency has been fully committed to this project and has provided key expertise and knowledge in the interpretation of Ulster Scots Heritage and culture in the visitor centre/museum.

The Corrowdownan Manuscript

The Corrowdownan Manuscript, which is to be housed in the Bridewell, dates back to the very beginning of the Plantation of Ulster. It records the granting of land at Corrowdownan, Co. Cavan by King James I to one John Browne of Gorgiemill (near Edinburgh) on 23 July 1611. The town of Bailieborough had been founded just a year earlier as part of the same Plantation. The manuscript carries the Great Seal of James I and is signed by his wife, Queen Anne of Denmark. It is written by hand on vellum, or calfskin, which is much stronger than paper – strong enough to carry the weight of the Great Seal. Royal seals are double-sided: one side depicts the monarch sitting in state, whilst the other shows the monarch in armour and on horseback. Having the manuscript on display at the Bridewell will give visitors a unique opportunity to come ‘face to face’ with one of those documents which changed the history of Ireland forever. We are indebted to our friends in the Ulster Scots Agency who have so generously loaned us the manuscript and to Lady Sylvia Frances Townley-Peeler who very kindly sponsored the construction of a bespoke, conservation-grade cabinet, which enables us to place this hugely important document on public display for the first time.