New immersive experience reveals spirit of a workhouse Christmas in Limavady

Limavady Workhouse invites you to step back in time on December 12 for a very distinctive Christmas experience, exploring the reality of the Workhouse at Christmas 175 years ago.

‘A Glimmer of Hope: Christmas at the Workhouse’ is an immersive theatrical event that transports visitors to the unforgiving winters of the 1850s.

Unlike traditional Christmas events, it offers a powerful and poignant journey into the stark realities of Victorian poverty, ending in a moving celebration of the season.

Organiser Karen Heaney promises an emotional and reflective experience in a welcome contrast to the commercial bustle of modern Christmas:

"I wanted to create something that lingers with people long after they leave.

“Christmas in the 1850s Workhouse wasn't about presents; it was about survival and the rare beautiful moments of kindness in an extremely hard world.

“My hope is that our guests walk away with a sense of perspective.

“By experiencing the cold and strict rules first-hand, the final moment of warmth and food feels genuinely earned.

“It's a history lesson, but one you feel emotionally."

Three sessions will run on the evening of December 12 at 6pm, 7:15pm, and 8:15pm, with tickets available through Christmas at The Workhouse - A Glimmer of Hope Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite.

Perfect for local history buffs and families looking for something different alike, the event invites visitors to step away from the modern world and experience the process faced by new arrivals entering the Limavady Workhouse.

Organisers advise that, due to the realistic nature of the historical setting and themes, the experience is recommended for ages nine and above.

Through live performances and the historic atmospheric setting, guests are guided through the stark routines of institutional life, from the punishing labour of oakum picking and the stone yard to the rigid discipline imposed by the Matron.

The experience culminates in a rare moment of compassion, reflecting the small but significant easing of rules that traditionally took place on Christmas Day.

Following a day in the life narrative, participants are fully immersed in an 1850s timeline, moving through workrooms and dormitories as they observe both the hardships and the camaraderie that shaped the daily existence of the inmates.

As evening draws in, the tone softens and the spirit of Christmas permeates the building, concluding with a light supper and a visit from Father Christmas.

This Christmas, the Limavady Workhouse offers the chance to step into the past and discover a festive season unlike any other.