Hospital Profile - History and Tradition
The Hospital was founded in 1780 by Lady Hartstonge and other benefactors as a Fever and Lock Hospital.
It treated epidemics during the Great Famine (1845-1847). The Hospital fell into disrepair during the 1850’s to the 1880’s.
In 1888 the then Bishop of Limerick, Bishop Edward Thomas O’Dwyer invited the Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of
Mary to the Hospital. St. John’s was the first site in Ireland where the Little Company of Mary Nursing Sisters came to work.
Since then, on going refurbishment and development has continued to take place. With the closure of Barrington’s Hospital in 1988,
St. John’s expanded its role, particularly in relation to Accident & Emergency. There has been continuous development since then.
