The Connaught District Lunatic Asylum was established under the Lunacy (Ireland) Act of 1821. Initially serving counties Galway, Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim, it was one of more than 20 institutions built in Ireland between 1810 and 1870. The Asylum opened in November 1833. Originally accommodating 150 patients the hospital eventually became overcrowded in part due to the "Dangerous Lunatics Act" 1838, the act applied only to Ireland and afforded members of the general public exceptional powers of committal over one another. Designed by William Murray who was influenced by the panopticon concept; Managers and staff occupied a central structure with radiating wings from which they could monitor and administer life within the institution.
The design of the building and competency of the service, combined with the DLA and the association of mental health and criminality within the general population all contributed to a more prison like environment for the patients.
In the 1930s the Asylum was renamed St Brigids and with that came advancements in staff training and qualifications, convulsive therapy using Cardiazol to induce seizures, and later electroconvulsive therapy. The mid-1950s saw the widespread use of anti-psychotic drugs such as Largactil. The Asylum now accommodated more than 2000 patients.
The 1980s saw the introduction of community care and eventually St Brigids closed permanently in 2013.
I first tried this place shortly after moving to Ireland, I managed around 40 minutes and was spotted, given a good telling off and the inevitable walk of shame. At the time I was still in and out of love with exploring and it took a bit of time to get back here properly. I'd salivate at what I had missed each time a report appeared on here and remind myself I must really try harder. I finally made it back in the late summer of 2024 with @Wastelandr and @KismetJ and returned again a few weeks later with ColmH to dig a bit deeper. Many may think its too far gone and passed its best and all that waffle but this is just how I like them. The place really reminded me of some of the UK asylums I experienced many years ago. Although the layout here was very different.
Anyway enough from me. TLDR; Old asylum. I loved it.
Central Administration
Kitchen/Dining
Laundry
X-Ray
Ground floor wing
Basement/Pharmacy
Heading Upstairs
continued....
The design of the building and competency of the service, combined with the DLA and the association of mental health and criminality within the general population all contributed to a more prison like environment for the patients.
In the 1930s the Asylum was renamed St Brigids and with that came advancements in staff training and qualifications, convulsive therapy using Cardiazol to induce seizures, and later electroconvulsive therapy. The mid-1950s saw the widespread use of anti-psychotic drugs such as Largactil. The Asylum now accommodated more than 2000 patients.
The 1980s saw the introduction of community care and eventually St Brigids closed permanently in 2013.
I first tried this place shortly after moving to Ireland, I managed around 40 minutes and was spotted, given a good telling off and the inevitable walk of shame. At the time I was still in and out of love with exploring and it took a bit of time to get back here properly. I'd salivate at what I had missed each time a report appeared on here and remind myself I must really try harder. I finally made it back in the late summer of 2024 with @Wastelandr and @KismetJ and returned again a few weeks later with ColmH to dig a bit deeper. Many may think its too far gone and passed its best and all that waffle but this is just how I like them. The place really reminded me of some of the UK asylums I experienced many years ago. Although the layout here was very different.
Anyway enough from me. TLDR; Old asylum. I loved it.
Central Administration
Kitchen/Dining
Laundry
X-Ray
Ground floor wing
Basement/Pharmacy
Heading Upstairs
continued....
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