THE SAD ghosts who walk the historic corridors and grounds of St Joseph’s Hospital on Mulgrave Street were brought into the light of day recently on a colourful exploration of the past.
Led by award-winning Limerick historian Sharon Slater, and organised by Jail Boreen and Roxboro Road Residents Association, over 70 people came together for a trip back in time as they took in the impressive architecture and history of the grounds at St Joseph’s.
Ms Slater regaled attendees with stories of those who went through the doors of Limerick District Lunatic Asylum, as it was known when it was founded in 1827.
Attendees learned that there were various reasons why people were admitted into the hospital in the day, including epilepsy, sunstroke, ‘effects of climate’, ‘religious mania’, and even drinking too much tea.
Originally built to cater for 150 patients, the grounds of the hospital grew and underwent many changes over the centuries.
The institution had noble beginnings, with the first District Asylums being built in the era of ‘Moral Management’, a more enlightened view of mental health, which saw mental illness or ‘luncay’ as a temporary condition that could improve in a nurturing environment.
Emphasis was placed on growing and eating nutritious food and spending time outdoors, though this approach was soon no longer sustainable as the numbers of inmates quickly grew.
While still in use by the HSE today, the story of St Joseph’s Hospital is now embarking on a new chapter, with a proposed housing development as part of the Colbert Quarter, a draft masterplan by the LDA which would see the delivery of hundreds of new homes in the area.
Speaking after the walk down memory lane on behalf of the Residents Association, resident Mary Ryan said “we are delighted with the high turnout for our event. These hospital grounds hold so much rich history and memories for many of us living locally.”
“As residents, we are largely positive about future developments by the LDA and HSE, and we can only hope that these bodies will include and inform us with regards to these sweeping changes taking place on our doorstep.”
Caitríona Ní Chatháin, another member of the Jail Boreen and Roxboro Road Residents Association, added that “more affordable housing and essential health services are a must for inhabitants of Limerick City”.
“Perhaps St Joseph’s Hospital will make history again by providing much needed housing, services, and other amenities to the people of the area. I can only hope that this will be carried out with the needs of the community in mind, and not profit-hungry developers.”
The event raised over three hundred euro, which will be donated to Mental Health Ireland.
