On Wednesday 13th September 2023, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice celebrated its Foundation Day which began with Mass followed by refreshments. Deep gratitude was extended to the Directors, Staff and Volunteers who altruistically support Marymount and whose services profoundly impact numerous individuals and families. On Friday 15th September a further gathering took place to recall, remember and celebrate the Foundation of Marymount and an Award ceremony took place to award those who had completed ten, twenty and thirty years of loyal service to the hospital.
The original hospital, founded in1870, was a visionary initiative of the Sisters of Charity. The Sisters had won the admiration of Cork general practitioner, Dr Patrick Murphy, for a number of years. The Sisters had visited his father and sister on their deathbeds during the cholera epidemic of 1832. In August 1849, Dr Murphy made a will and bequeathed practically all he possessed to the Sisters of Charity on the condition of their having established within two years of his death, a hospital or room for cancer patients. In the event of their non-compliance with this condition, his property was to be divided by the bishop amongst the other Catholic charities of the city. Dr Murphy died in December 1867.
In October 1868, the Superior General of the Sisters of Charity, Francis Magdalen McCarthy, and Mother Mary Camillis came from Dublin to St Vincent’s Cork to discuss the possible foundation of a hospital. Before leaving, both had agreed with Mother de Chantal, the Cork Superior, that a hospital was a good project to pursue, and directed that a suitable spot be sought.
On 8th May 1869, the first stone of the new hospital was laid and in 1870 the hospital was founded. By 1903 there were seven wards available for patients, two of which were reserved for cancer patients, one for males and one for females. Consumption was rife at the time so many patients were treated for such, several of whom improved so much they were able to return to their families and employment.
Two Sisters of Charity visited the sick and the poor in their homes as well as teaching catechism in the local community, Victoria Barracks military school and in St Patrick’s Hospital itself.
In 2011, St Patrick’s services were relocated to a purpose-built, modern, high-quality facility in Curraheen, Cork. Today, Marymount is an independent voluntary hospital with University status and is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.
As we give thanks for 153 years of dedicated services, we rejoice that this legacy to the people of Cork, through the auspices of Dr Murphy and the dedication and commitment of so many Sisters of Charity down the years, will certainly continue to bless those most in need for many years to come.
