Reflecting

... Language would fail to give an adequate idea of the state of the Fever Hospital; such an appalling, awful and heart-sickening condition as it presented I never witnessed.... As I entered the house the stench that proceeded from it, and prevailed through it was most dreadful and noisome, but oh, what scenes presented themselves to my view as I proceeded through the wards and passages; patients lying on straw, naked and in their excrements, a slight covering thrown over them .... no medicine,no drink, in dirt, no fire; the unhappy beings who were able to express their wants crying out for drink; water, water...
Dr Stephens' Report, Bantry Workhouse, February 1847

There's more but it's too depressing. In fairness the report for the Workhouse itself was less ghastly, this was for the adjoining the Fever Hospital, but this was the height of the Famine and Bantry Workhouse was overflowing. Auxiliary workhouses were opened where possible and this eighteenth century grainstore may have briefly been used to home young girls. I've been inside the ruins and its hard to imagine that conditions were better here for it's so damp and unsuitable for any kind of hospital. The only gleam of hope, the Methodists were close by and providing huge amounts of generosity and compassion.

A true narrative but not exactly for the correct building. The extra  challenge for this week's DS is Story - real or imagined. I'll try to find a less miserable one next.The tag is DS83.

The building was looking particularly atmospheric today in the mizzle, not a wisp of air.

Browsing will be brief over the next few days for it's now the Fastnet Short Film festival in Schull and it's all happening. An incredibly impressive programme with films showing in all the local cafes and pubs and hotels. We might go and see The Secret Scriptures tonight, also a bit harrowing though :/