In 1908 a Tuberculosis Prevention Act was passed giving the county councils in Ireland the power to provide local facilities to battle the disease ravaging many areas at that time. In 1910, the sanitary authorities of County Cork combined with Cork Corporation to establish Heatherside Sanatorium near Doneraile.
This would become the first purpose built tuberculosis sanatorium in Ireland
Built in 1909, the main building was designed with a gentle curve and the typical balconies and open bays you would expect with a TB sanatorium. Ancillary buildings were added in the mid-1930s. These included a recreation hall/dining area, facilities and services such as a laundry and workshops and a small chapel. Several wards were added onsite, and at some point an in house X-Ray service was provided. There was also a superintendents house on the same site.
The sanatorium closed in 1957 and was repurposed to relieve overcrowding at Our Ladys Psychiatric Hospital in Cork city. The hospital continued to be used for this purpose until April 2011 when it closed for good. Despite protests and local resistance 27 patients were relocated and 60+ staff redeployed.
In June 2006 a female patient passed away while in the care of Heatherside Hospital staff. A common practice at the time was to use restraints and sadly on this occasion the patient slipped in her chair and choked on the restraints. Staff allegedly removed and dressed the deceased patient and returned her to her bed before Gardai arrived on the scene and it has been reported that they were not particularly cooperative with the following investigation.
This place is somewhere I've spent a nice amount of time over the last few years. The photographs here are a mix of several visits since summer 2020. I have also shot a lot of 35mm here but like most of the rolls they just sit there waiting to be developed. Its nothing special and definitely in the late stages as far as the "abandoned scale" goes, so for those of you who only chase "epics" maybe scroll on by now...
However despite the local kids definitely finding it and wrecking the place, I still have a weak spot for natural decay and peel so its right up my street. The first time I found myself here the site kind of reminded me of the atmosphere of some of the older UK asylums. If you remember those from late 2008 ish you will probably know what i mean. not the size or scale by any means but surrounded by trees and overgrown. Anyway; I hope some of you enjoy looking at the place.
Original Sanatorium building
Does anyone remember the old caged staircases? This place has its own little wooden version
1930s additions
Laundry, Stores and Workshops
Superintendents house
The chapel [ past and present ]
Thanks for looking, Bug.
This would become the first purpose built tuberculosis sanatorium in Ireland
Built in 1909, the main building was designed with a gentle curve and the typical balconies and open bays you would expect with a TB sanatorium. Ancillary buildings were added in the mid-1930s. These included a recreation hall/dining area, facilities and services such as a laundry and workshops and a small chapel. Several wards were added onsite, and at some point an in house X-Ray service was provided. There was also a superintendents house on the same site.
The sanatorium closed in 1957 and was repurposed to relieve overcrowding at Our Ladys Psychiatric Hospital in Cork city. The hospital continued to be used for this purpose until April 2011 when it closed for good. Despite protests and local resistance 27 patients were relocated and 60+ staff redeployed.
In June 2006 a female patient passed away while in the care of Heatherside Hospital staff. A common practice at the time was to use restraints and sadly on this occasion the patient slipped in her chair and choked on the restraints. Staff allegedly removed and dressed the deceased patient and returned her to her bed before Gardai arrived on the scene and it has been reported that they were not particularly cooperative with the following investigation.
This place is somewhere I've spent a nice amount of time over the last few years. The photographs here are a mix of several visits since summer 2020. I have also shot a lot of 35mm here but like most of the rolls they just sit there waiting to be developed. Its nothing special and definitely in the late stages as far as the "abandoned scale" goes, so for those of you who only chase "epics" maybe scroll on by now...
However despite the local kids definitely finding it and wrecking the place, I still have a weak spot for natural decay and peel so its right up my street. The first time I found myself here the site kind of reminded me of the atmosphere of some of the older UK asylums. If you remember those from late 2008 ish you will probably know what i mean. not the size or scale by any means but surrounded by trees and overgrown. Anyway; I hope some of you enjoy looking at the place.
Original Sanatorium building
Does anyone remember the old caged staircases? This place has its own little wooden version
1930s additions
Laundry, Stores and Workshops
Superintendents house
The chapel [ past and present ]
Thanks for looking, Bug.
