To the Stereo Pairs collection today, and to a vast institution somewhere. These great building projects were intended to provide treatment and care for people in a region and have lasted for many years though few remain in their original use to this day. Where are we and is it still standing?
Niall McAuley and
derangedlemur combine to tell us that this is longer standing. While it was standing (for 100 years between the 1820s and the 1920s), it was the "District Lunatic Asylum" on the Falls Road in Belfast. Originally built to designs by architects William Murray and Francis Johnston (the latter perhaps best known for his work on Dublin's GPO), it was demolished to make way for a new maternity hospital in the early 20th century....
Photographers:
Frederick Holland Mares, James Simonton
Contributor:
John Fortune Lawrence
Collection:
Stereo Pairs Photograph Collection
Date: Catalogue range c.1860-1883
NLI Ref:
STP_0435
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at
catalogue.nli.ie
Info:
Owner:
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Source:
Flickr Commons
Views: 19137
domenico milella
Congratulation for your beautiful Album.
Niall McAuley
You'd have to think prison or, as they were known back then, lunatic asylum with all the bars on the upper floor windows.
Niall McAuley
I am leaning towards a hospital. STP_0436 next door is a reverse view.
Niall McAuley
Drawing a blank at the NIAH so far, possibly gone or North of the border...
derangedlemur
It looks like this, except it seems to have an extra floor: www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&...
derangedlemur
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley Yep. Belfast lunatic asylum.
derangedlemur
catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000339826
derangedlemur
Looking at the OSNI, it doesn't seem to have lasted much beyond the early 20th century.
Niall McAuley
The District Lunatic Asylum on the 1900ish map was beside the Royal Victoria Hospital but is gone, so I am 3 for 3 - An asylum north of the border which is no longer standing!
irishlad031_vintage
Derry had some lunatic asylums over the time... Bishop Street area was one.
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
**TRIPLE MURDER WHILST GARDENING KLAXON ALERT !! ** 1911 - Read All About It - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82191151 1860 - ... The Belfast Lunatic Asylum, a vast establishment, is so full, on the declaration of the resident physician, that lunatics are sent to the county prison — a fact revealed at an inquest held on the body of a poor madman who died the other day in the gaol... From - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/114837311
Niall McAuley
I think this building was replaced by the Jubilee Maternity hospital in 1933. DIA ref
Niall McAuley
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/8468254@N02] The NIAH page on that asylum in Tipp says it was by Francis Johnston in 1833. The Belfast Asylum was also by Johnston in 1826-29, according to the NIAH. One of the entries in the DIA includes the text: (Demolished 1924)
Dún Laoghaire Micheál
So no Stormont jokes then?
derangedlemur
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley Obviously not one to let a good idea go to waste.
Vab2009
I am late to this but came across this book review Asylums, Mental Health and the Irish 1800-2010, Edited by Pauline M Prior, www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/misery-in-ireland-s-mass.... By 1958 the asylum population in Ireland was 21,000 😳 Is it any wonder that they were so vast 😳
Vab2009
Another image of Belfast asylum www.researchgate.net/figure/Belfast-Lunatic-Asylum-By-kin...
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Ouch https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia. I shouldn't read about axe wielding maniacs right before bedtime :\ I've left that part out of the updated description :p But have otherwise updated the map/tags/etc.
Vab2009
Probably naughty posting this screen shot but I was fascinated by this institution. From the 1846-62 ordnance survey map -
Niall McAuley
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/vab2009] From the DIA, that map is after the extension to each wing in 1852-3. The 6" from 1837 shows the original smaller building.
Vab2009
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley Thanks for that Niall.