The past shaping the future of pediatric healthcare in Ireland

16 December, 2022: A history book on the National Children’s Hospital History was officially recognised in Children’s Health Ireland at Tallaght today. The book captures the journey of the founding of the hospital in 1822 to today’s vision of paediatric healthcare in Ireland and the evolution of this vision through time. The book includes stories of the families, staff and community involved in the National Children’s Hospital over the years.

The hospital was founded by Sir Philip Crampton, Sir Henry Marsh and Dr Charles Johnston, on Pitt Street in The Liberties as the Institute for Sick Children in 1821. Following amalgamation with the National Orthopaedic and Children’s Hospital in 1884, the combined institution moved to Harcourt Street in 1887. It was absorbed into the Tallaght Hospital as its Children’s Services Department in June 1998. In 2021, CHI at Tallaght building opened, moving paediatric services to the new building. All inpatients will move to the new children’s hospital from 2024.

The National Children’s Hospital History book was officially launched by National Children’s Hospital Foundation members and author, Michael Hanna, on November 29th 2022 in Dun Laoighaire yacht club.

Chair of the Board at Children’s Health Ireland, Dr Jim Browne, said at the event: “We recognise the work and time invested in this book and acknowledge the great work of many Board members and staff teams who are part of the historical success of children’s acute healthcare in Ireland. It is appropriate that we are here today in this new building in CHI at Tallaght to recognise this journey – it really demonstrates the transition and development of paediatric healthcare services in Ireland over many decades. As we move ever closer to the new children’s hospital, it’s important to remember where we have come from and to acknowledge the people in history who have helped us get to this point. We have all ultimately had the same goal – access to quality and timely healthcare for children in Ireland.”

Copies of the history book were distributed at the event and given to past employees of the service. Copies of the book are available on request via the following email.