Aut Even Hospital

 

Aut Even Hospital shares the honour of being the oldest private hospital in Ireland, with the Bon Secour in Cork. The hospital was founded by Lady Desart in 1915. The hospital has a long tradition of care and was run by the sisters of the John of Gods for over 70 years after they purchased it in 1933. The name is a transcription of the Irish 'áit aoibhinn' meaning beautiful place.

 

Although engulfed by a later extension (1982), with a range of features of little inherent architectural heritage merit, the hospital still presents the essential attributes of a well-composed cottage hospital built to designs prepared by Albert Edward Murray (1849-1924). Arts-and-Crafts qualities remain of particular interest as a reminder of the genesis of the Aut Even Hospital complex established in the early twentieth century by Ellen Odette Desart (née Bischoffsheim), fourth Countess of Desart (1857-1933). Having the hospital built with the highest-quality arts and crafts would have been in line with her principles as president of the Gaelic League. Featuring a somewhat complex yet compact footprint, the architectural design value of the hospital is complemented by such things as the Classical dressings to most of the openings. Centred on a finely-carved doorcase completed to designs attributed to William Emery, exhibiting particularly high-quality carpentry, the hospital boasts further instances of Kilkenny Woodworkers Company craftsmanship both to the exterior and to the interior. However, having survived the redevelopment of the adjacent sites reasonably unscathed, the integrity of the building is under threat from the continued replacement of the original fabric with inappropriate modern pieces.

 

As the oldest private hospital in the country, along with Bon Secour in Cork; the hospital is of huge historical importance and exemplifies the foresight and generosity of Lady Desart. Testament to the craftsmanship displayed in its construction, the building remains over 100 years later, a vital component in accomodating the needs of a modern hospital.