Decies-within-Drum

Decies-within-Drum is a barony located in the County Waterford, Ireland. It is one of 23 historic baronies in County Waterford. The barony is rich in history and has a significant place in the medical history of Ireland, particularly in relation to the Great Famine.

History

Decies-within-Drum was formed as a barony under the Norman invasion. The name "Decies" comes from the ancient Irish kingdom of the Deisi, while "Drum" refers to the ridge of high ground between the River Suir and the River Blackwater.

During the Great Famine, the barony was severely affected, with a significant loss of population due to starvation and disease. The medical response to the famine in the area is a significant part of the history of medicine in Ireland.

Medical History

During the Great Famine, the medical infrastructure in Decies-within-Drum was severely tested. The barony was served by a number of workhouses, which also functioned as hospitals. These included the Dungarvan Workhouse, which had a hospital attached.

The medical response to the famine in Decies-within-Drum was led by local doctors, who were often overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis. They were supported by medical charities such as the British Association for the Relief of Distress in Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland, which provided funding for medical supplies and additional medical staff.

The experience of the famine in Decies-within-Drum highlighted the inadequacies of the medical infrastructure in rural Ireland at the time, and led to significant changes in the provision of medical care in the years that followed.

Legacy

The legacy of the Great Famine in Decies-within-Drum is still visible today, with many famine graves and ruins of workhouses still present in the landscape. The medical history of the area is commemorated in the Dungarvan Museum, which has a permanent exhibition on the Great Famine.

‎