Built in 1842 in the Tudor revival style, off the Mullingar road, the orphanage was set up in 1843 by the established Protestant church in Ireland to cater for orphans from Protestant families.
In 1943 the Orphanage closed and the remaining children transferred to another Church of Ireland run home, Kirwan House, in Dublin.
The buildings were sold to Westmeath County Council in 1986, but have fallen into decay in recent times.[when?]
[3] The Cottages which formed the orphanage, the matrons house, wall and gateway are protected structures.
[4] The Cottages were developed into energy efficient social housing and completed in 2006.