A PIECE of Fermanagh history is up for grabs as the Lisnaskea Workhouse is set to be auctioned off to the highest bidder! 

The former Poor Law Hospital, Castlebalfour in Lisnaskea is being auctioned off online with offers starting at £50,000. The property will be sold online on June 25th at 9am by Osborne and King online auctions. 

The historic site comes with around 1.08 acre of land and the buildings are currently Grade B listed.  The property is currently vacant and provides a purchaser with an excellent opportunity to sympathetically redevelop or refurbish the iconic local building for a range of potential uses subject to the necessary statutory approvals.

The property is located just off Lisnaskea main street within a short walking distance from the town centre while the surrounding area comprises primarily of residential dwellings with some commercial occupiers nearly on the Main Street.

The site is steeped in history as during the time of the famine, the workhouse provided relief for those who were left homeless, starving and destitute, and was used to house up to 500 paupers. 

The building, which was one of three workhouses in Fermanagh, continued to house those in need until the 1940s. 

The 1851 workhouse now consists of a five bay, two storey, gabled front building with a long two and three storey block to the rear. 

The infirmary building has since been demolished, while the remainder of the building is in need of repair.

Auctioneer Thomas Osborne said there are a wide range of possibilities which the well known site could be used for.

“It is an extensive site in excess of one acre and it is within walking distance to the town centre. It is a bustling village with some new residential development going on and it is a nice area. We have had good interest in the property so far. 

We are seeing people thinking conversion into a residential development, while others are talking about commercial or leisure use. Subject to planning, there are a wide range of uses which it would be suitable for,” said Mr Osborne.