Mission Mater's Magazine - Flipbook - Page 20
I remember Eccles Street – in
the rare ‘auld times
People & Community
Dominican School, looking towards Dorset Street 1980
As the hospital will soon begin another phase of
redevelopment on Eccles Street, Archivist, Helen
Madden takes a look back at some of the former
buildings that once stood there
E
ccles Street was constructed c.1750 as part of a
great Georgian street plan and was part of the
rapid development of the North side of the
city in the 17009s.
The Sisters of Mercy purchased a site in the former Royal
Circus in 1851, with the hospital being officially founded
in 1852 by the order. The foundation stone was laid onsite in September 1855 with building work continuing
throughout the 18509s. The first building in the Mater
Hospital we know today, the south-facing wing fronting
onto Eccles St. including the old main entrance, was
opened on Eccles Street in September 1861.
Eccles Street was for many years the home of many of
Dublin9s9 wealthy elite, with gentry, solicitors, physicians
and members of the clergy amongst its residents. In later
years there were various schools, orphanages, homes for
the elderly and at risk youths, and hotels as the street
began its transformation into tenements and flats after
the wealthy moved out to other areas of the city, in much
the same vein as nearby Henrietta Street.
The small park on Eccles Street is officially called the
Four Masters Park after the large sandstone Celtic
cross placed in one of its corners.
This cross was the result of a campaign by Sir William
Wilde, noted Dublin Ophthalmologist and father of
writer Oscar Wilde, to commemorate the Four Masters
of Ireland, four Franciscan monks.
The site where the new trauma build will occupy has
been vacant for several years but was well known to
many as the former Dominican Convent School for
girls.
The school was opened in 1882 by the Dominican
Sisters and originally took over No9s 18 and 19 Eccles
Street, also called 8Tyrawley House9 after its original
owner. The school expanded in size over the years,
occupying the neighbouring houses, and contained a
large chapel, auditorium, basketball courts, a garden
and classrooms for almost 800 pupils.
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