Clonmel

The imposing hill-top building, now St. Joseph’s Hospital. Was once the Clonmel Workhouse, built in 1851.  On November 7^th 1883, it is recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Guardians  that  “– – two Sisters of Mercy, Cahir, seek appointment as nurses.  They are Sisters M. Gertrude Foran and M. Vaughan.” On December 15^th  those two and two other Sisters assumed office in the Workhouse.  Later other Sisters joined them as nurses and teachers.  In the early twenties, the Workhouse became more of a Medical Hospital, known as the District Hospital, run by the County Manager and Council.  In 1950 the hospital was taken over by the South Eastern Health Board. Then it was really modernised – a lift – big wards reconstructed into four bedded wards and some private rooms.  Gradually new facilities were added – a Coronary Care Unit, Neonatal, Intensive Care, Physiotherapy Dept., Psychiatric Unit. A Sister is in full time Pastoral Care.  St. Joseph’s is a busy hospital, catering for a population of 80,000 approx.

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