Living Room

On January 19th, 1863, in the years following the Irish potato famine, author Alexander Fitzgerald Irvine was born into dire poverty in the Ulster-Scots town of Antrim. 

Located in Pogue’s Entry, an historic corner of 18th century Antrim, the childhood home of Dr Alexander Fitzgerald Irvine is preserved in its original state with its whitewashed walls and cobbled path outside.

This simple two room cottage is very typical of the Ulster-Scots cottages of the 17th century; with one main room for living and cooking; and a bedroom. Furnishings were hand-made and simple. The light was often poor, particularly in the darker winter months, and a tax on windows in Ireland led to the expression “daylight robbery”.

It is hard to imagine a large family all sharing such a simple home.