The Royal Hospital Donnybrook
Christmas is a time when we think of those less financially secure or suffering an illness. Irish people are particularly good at investing time and money in making life better for their fellow human beings. There are numerous examples of this, and a good account can be illustrated through the foundation of The Royal Hospital for Incurables in Donnybrook (now The Royal Hospital).
The hospital was first established in 1743 as a charitable hospital through the work of the Dublin Charitable Musical Society, who put on concerts in Crow Street. In the beginning the hospital contained but a few rooms in Fleet Street. However, by way of generous donations, the governors were able to secure a larger premises in Townsend Street. The year 1793 was a pivotal time in the development of the hospital, for the Buckingham Hospital on the Donnybrook Road, which was intended solely for smallpox cases was, through the input of the Lord Lieutenant, granted to the Incurables, in exchange for the house in Townsend Street. The new premises housed 23 people. Though that quickly expanded to accommodate 84 patients.
Christmas at the Royal Hospital
Year in and year out the hospital succeeded in making the lives of the patients there not only more bearable but more fulfilled. In the coming century the hospital continued to live up to its Royal Charter (1800) by providing for, “the dieting, lodging, clothing and maintaining poor persons who are or shall be affected with disorders declared by qualified medical authority to be incurable, and for supplying them with medical and surgical assistance, medicines, and all manner of necessaries without fee or reward.” And while Christmas can be a time of joy or sorrow the hospital made sure the patients were as comfortable as possible. This was achieved through a highly motivated staff, who fostered a joyous atmosphere on the wards. For instance, the cooks busied themselves in preparing festive meals and treats while others decorated the walls of the wards with holly and flowers.
Back in the 1920s, when things were less affluent, the wards were tastefully decorated with evergreens, and the dinner consisted of a selection of roast meats and vegetables, followed by plum pudding, sweets, jellies and other delicacies. In the evening there was music of some kind. By 1955 the hospital’s capacity was 240 patients, all of whom observed Christmas in wards that were decorated by coloured lights, flowers and Christmas trees.
The Royal Hospital today
Today efficient healthcare systems and those which can be prevented through education and screening, have eliminated many incurable diseases. Yet, we have not eradicated all diseases yet. In the 1980s the Royal Hospital for Incurables was renamed the Royal Hospital and started specialising in the rehabilitation of elderly patients and services for young disabled adults. Today, as well as continuing the Christmas dinners the Royal Hospital provides state of the art up to date medical care, which meets the healthcare needs of the community. This includes, short-term Post-Acute Rehabilitative Care, general rehabilitation, specialist stroke rehabilitation, specialist neurorehabilitation, respite, day hospital, residential care as well as a designated university teaching hospital for the University College Dublin (UCD) Medical School facilitating the “Medicine in the Community.”
Giving Something Back
The Royal Hospital has the honour of being the oldest continuously operating hospital of its type in Ireland and Britain, and continues to be governed by its Royal Charter. That still directs the specified work that is being carried out by the hospital. It persists in having an excellent reputation for the provision of its services.
It still welcomes donations as it did in the eighteenth century. If someone would like to support their work a donation can be made directly to the Royal Hospital, at ‘The Royal Hospital Donnybrook’, Finance Dept, The Royal Hospital Donnybrook, Morehampton Rd. Dublin D04 HX40 or if Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is preferred, contact Finance at 01 4066 613 for the relevant details.
