St Bricin's Military Hospital Explained

St Bricin's Military Hospital
Org/Group:Defence Forces
Location:Arbour Hill
Region:Dublin
Country:IE
Funding:Government
Map Type:Ireland Central Dublin
Map Size:250
Map Alt:A map of Dublin with a dot showing location of St Bricin's Military Hospital
Coordinates:53.3513°N -6.2917°W
Type:Military
Affiliation:None

St Bricin's Military Hospital (Irish: Ospidéal Míleata Naomh Bricin) is a military hospital in Arbour Hill, an inner city area of Dublin, Ireland, serving members of the Irish Defence Forces and under the administration of the Army's Medical Corps.[1]

History

The hospital was founded as Arbour Hill Military Hospital and built in three stages from 1902 replacing an older military hospital on the site. Designed by the Royal Engineers of the British Army, it was named the King George V Hospital (‘KGVH’) to mark the 1911 coronation and Irish visit of the king before it opened in 1913 and was administered by the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). It was part of an extensive complex of British military and support facilities west of Dublin city centre for the British garrison in Ireland. This included the Royal Barracks, to which it was connected by a tunnel via Arbour Hill Detention Barracks (built to hold military offenders), Marlborough Barracks, Montpelier Hill Barracks and Isolation Hospital, and the Royal Irish Constabulary Depot in the Phoenix Park. It was transferred to the authorities of the new Irish Free State in 1922. The hospital was renamed after Saint Bricín of Tomregan, because of his skill as a surgeon in 7th century Ireland.[2]

In 2005 consideration was given to making the hospital available for public use to ease pressure on accident and emergency departments.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1909 – St Bricin’s Military Hospital, Arbour Hill, Dublin. Archiseek. 24 March 2019.
  2. Murray, Kevin. "Baile in Scáil and Baile Bricín." Éigse 33 (2002): 49-56.
  3. Web site: Use of military hospital ruled out. Irish Times. 20 April 2005. 5 May 2019.