Southwell Gift Houses facts for kids

The Southwell Gift Houses are special homes built a long time ago in the 1600s. They are located in Kinsale, a town in County Cork, Ireland. These buildings were created to help people who needed a place to live.

There are five houses in total. Four of them were for people who needed help, often called pensioners. The fifth house was for a supervisor who looked after the residents. These houses are all together in a group, looking out over the town.

What are the Southwell Gift Houses?

The Southwell Gift Houses are a type of almshouse. An almshouse is a building where poor or elderly people can live. They are usually supported by charity. These particular houses were built in the 17th century, which means they are very old! They show how people used to help others in their community.

Who Built These Houses?

The almshouses were built in 1682 by a man named Sir Robert Southwell. He was a very important person in Kinsale. Sir Robert was known for being a generous person who gave a lot to his community. He was also a diplomat, which means he represented his country in other nations. He worked as an ambassador and a politician too. This means he helped make decisions for the government. Sir Robert Southwell passed away in 1702.

What Were They Used For?

When the houses were first built, the plan was to give them to widows. These were women whose husbands had died. Their husbands had been Protestant tradesmen. A tradesman is someone who works in a skilled job, like a carpenter or a baker.

Much later, from 1965 to 1970, the houses were fixed up. After they were restored, they were given to elderly people from Kinsale. This continued the tradition of helping those in need.

How Do They Look?

The Southwell Gift Houses have two main parts. The largest building is the supervisor's house. It is a simple, two-story house with three sections on the front. The other four houses are smaller cottages. They are built in pairs, so they share a wall. Each cottage has one main story with extra rooms in the attic. They have sloped roofs made of slate and chimneys made of red brick. All the houses are arranged around a central courtyard. You enter the area through a fancy iron gate with strong posts on either side.

What Happened to Them Recently?

By 2015, there was a problem. The money set aside to take care of the houses had run out. This money is called an endowment. Because there was no money left, the buildings needed a lot of repairs. They were put up for sale by the Church of Ireland. This was done by the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Even though they were for sale, the houses are very important. They are "listed" and "protected," which means they are special historic buildings that cannot be torn down or changed without permission.