If Walls Could Talk: Regional Hospital Limerick was just what the doctor ordered

SERVING Limerick and the Mid-West since opening in May 1955, Limerick Regional Hospital (now University Hospital Limerick) was designed by the noted Limerick architect, Patrick J Sheahan (1893-1963). The consulting mechanical engineer was Nicholas Matthews of Dublin and Patrick F Coveney of Cork was the quantity surveyor.
The hospital was first mooted in 1936. In early 1950, the Cork-based building firm, Murphy and Bros won the tender for the project which was priced at £643,834. The hospital was erected on a 35 acre green field site in Dooradoyle. In 1806, fifteen acres of meadowing at Dooradoyle was offered for rental by George Dood of Clare Street. Later in the mid-nineteenth century, an old mill known as Shanwillen was located to the rear of the site; it is clearly visible on the maps prepared for Griffith’s Land Valuation in 1855.
The working drawings of the main hospital buildings were approved in 1949. Limerick Regional Hospital was designed to accommodate 284 patients of the following types: medical (92): surgical (112); children (20); ophthalmic (24); nose and throat (16); orthopaedic (14), plus six isolation beds. An article in the Cork Examiner of March 1950 reported that ‘there will be a mixed religious and lay nursing staff… the supervisory staff will be held by nuns of the Mercy Order and the balance of the nursing staff will be made up of lay trained and lay probationer nurses. The new hospital will be a training school for nurses. A nurses’ home to accommodate 112 nurses will also be provided.’
On October 17, 1951, the foundation stone of the Limerick Regional Hospital was laid by Dr James Ryan, the Minister for Health and blessed by the Bishop of Limerick, the Most Rev Dr O’Neill. The foundation stone is embedded in the wall of the convent chapel. Ancillary works to the site, included an extension from the city’s water supply to the hospital at a cost of £13,000, were completed in 1952. The project employed about 200 workers who earned an average of £6.14s per week. The hospital required 1,200 windows – a staggering one and a half miles of glass! Speaking at the conclusion of the project, Patrick J Sheahan described the workers as thus ‘these men threw themselves enthusiastically into the work during the whole time the building was in their hands. It gives me great pleasure to pay this tribute to these men.’
In May 1954, the post of physician-superintendent at Limerick County Council was advertised. ‘Essential qualifications included MD, and MRCPI. The salary was fixed at £1,775 with permission to engage in limited private practice. The duties will be performed mainly in the Regional Hospital, Limerick.’
The overall number of staff recruited stood at about 120 people and included full-time surgeons and two physicians. According to reports in the press, appointments in radiology, gynaecology, ophthalmic, and surgery were to be on a part-time basis. The hospital was also planned to be a training centre for ‘big numbers of junior doctors’. In addition to doctors, it was envisaged that 45 full-time nurses would be recruited. Nurses annual remuneration included ward sisters at £370, while general trained nurses earned £310. The head porter earned £6 per week and remuneration included lodging at a gate lodge and a uniform. Ambulance drivers were paid £7 per week and supplied with a uniform.

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The compounder of medicines was paid £250 per year. A full list of all the first staff members appointed to the hospital was printed in the Limerick Leader on September 19, 1955. The medical appointments included Mr MJ Murphy as surgeon, Dr Martin S Honan as physician, Sister Mary de Fatima as matron, Margaret G Keating as radiologist, and Teresa Hayes as compounder of medicine. Other staff members included Denis Conway as storekeeper, James McNamara as gardener, James Cusack as ambulance driver, and Patrick Ryan as head porter.
The Regional Hospital was formally opened on April 25, 1955, it cost £1,000,000 and the Limerick Leader report described it as ‘palatial’. TF O’Higgins, the Minister for Health declared the hospital open by unlocking the main door with a ceremonial gold key. It was blessed by the Bishop of Limerick, the Most Rev Dr O’Neill who joined the Mayor of Limerick, GE Russell at Cruise’s Hotel for lunch. Several TDs, senators, councillors, and many other dignitaries attended the opening.
Many well-known Limerick businesses were involved in the fitting out of the new hospital. The paint was supplied by J & G Boyd of William Street, all the floor coverings including linoleums, rubber floorings, fitted carpets and curtains were installed by Todds, James McMahon supplied all timber, WF McNamara supplied the wrought iron balustrades, handrails, balcony and window railings and manhole covers.
2025 will mark the hospital’s 70th year serving the people of Limerick and the Mid-West.
- Paul’s free walking tour of Shannon Street will take place on Sunday, September 29 at 3pm. Meet outside Leavy’s Shoes.
- For those of you who missed the launch of Paul O'Brien and William Banks book: Taprooms, Taverns & Alehouses: Limerick City Pubs, c.1850-2024, a second launch will take place in Mary Immaculate College, Room T.118 on Friday, October 11 at 7pm. All welcome.