In the depths of the Coombe in Dublin’s Liberties lies the memorial below. Dedicated to the memory of the many women who gave birth in the Coombe Lying-In Hospital, it has to be amongst the most impressive monuments in the city. The plaque at it’s base reads as follows:
“Towards the end of the 1825, two women in a vain attempt to reach the Rotunda hospital perished, together with their new born in the snow. When this became known, a number of benevolent and well disposed people founded the Coombe Lying-in Hospital in the year 1826 for the relief of poor women. Leading the charitable Committee was a Mrs. Margaret Boyle of Upper Street, Dublin.
The portico surrounding this plaque formed the entrance until the year 1967, when the hospital moved to a new location in Dolphin’s Barn. The old portico having been retained and restored by Dublin Corporation as a memorial to the many of mothers who gave birth to future citizens of Ireland in the Coombe Lying-in Hospital and also to the generosity of the staff and friends of the hospital.”
The Portico of the first Coombe Lying-in (Maternity) Hospital
There had been a hospital on this site for close to 200 years, with the foundation stone for the “Meath Hospital and County Dublin Infirmary” being laid in 1770. This hospital operated in this guise for over fifty years until it was closed in 1823. In 1826 Mrs. Margaret Boyle founded the Coombe Lying-In Hospital on the site, with the Guinness family as one of the hospital’s benefactors. It was Dublin’s second maternity hospital, the first being the Rotunda.
The old Coombe hospital closed and relocated to a newly built premises in 1967. The building was demolished in order to make way for Dublin Corporation housing. Interestingly, the steps at the back of the monument are a memorial to Dublin’s characters of old. Bang Bang and Johnny Forty Coats feature, along with a host of others.
If you’re interested in taking a look for yourself, the monument can be found near the corner of the Coombe and Brabazon Street.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
T’was only last year, while on a tour of The Liberties that I found out about the names engraved on the back. In fact I have to say that tour with Pat Liddy was a real eye opener for me…about the (various) Liberties and life within,
Well recommended if you are taking part in The Liberties Festival this summer.
Any body know a women from the libertys had 11 sections births and held the world record in the 1950 ; by the name doyle
I was born in the old Coombe, I pass it at least twice a week,
never seen it before, I will look the next time.! Thanks for posting this.
Lady Hogan is a name on the monument. Would love to find out more on him as he was my great uncle!
The 9 steps
I saw a pen sketch of the old Coombe hospital on the web but I’ve lost it; looked to have been drawn sometime in the 60s.
Anybody can help identify artist?
I was born in the old Coombe in May 1967 me ma told me that I was the last baby born in the old Coombe I don’t know if I was actually the last baby born or i was her last baby born in the old Coombe can anybody help me out with the records ?