Famine Warhouse 1848

About the museum

The Famine Warhouse is a former farmhouse near Ballingarry in County Tipperary that became the scene of the last act of the Young Irelander Rebellion in 1848. Rebels led by the Protestant landowner William Smith O’Brien besieged 47 police officers who had barricaded themselves into the McCormack homestead and held five children inside as hostages. The standoff ended in defeat for the rebels, and their leaders were later transported to penal colonies abroad.

The house, known ever since as the Warhouse, is now a small museum managed by the Office of Public Works as part of Heritage Ireland. Its displays explain the course of the rebellion, the trials of its leaders, their exile in Australia and the escape of some of them to the United States. The exhibition sets the events in the context of the Great Famine and of the revolutions that shook Europe in the same year. The farmhouse kitchen can also be seen.

Visits are on a part-time basis and need to be arranged in advance: the booking line is staffed on weekdays only, and the site asks for at least two days’ notice. Entry is free.

Highlights

• Farmhouse where the 1848 Young Irelander Rebellion ended
• Exhibition on William Smith O’Brien and the trials and exile of the rebel leaders
• The events placed in the context of the Great Famine and the 1848 revolutions in Europe
• The farmhouse kitchen
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• The Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848 – Displays on the siege of the McCormack homestead, the trials of the rebel leaders, their exile in Australia and the escape of some to the USA, set against the Great Famine and the revolutions across Europe in 1848.

Operated by

Office of Public Works (Heritage Ireland)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Heritage Ireland states that visitors with disabilities have access to the ground floor.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

The site is about 37 km (23 miles) from Kilkenny along the N76 and R691 to Ballingarry, then north of the village towards Commons; follow the signposts. County Tipperary has two places called Ballingarry, so take care to choose the one near Kilkenny.

Amenities & dining

Car park and coach parking on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit