Newcastle Mental Hospital

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Newcastle Mental Hospital
Opened 1895
Current Status Active
Building Style Cottage Plan
Alternate Names
  • Newcastle Hospital




History[edit]

Newcastle Hospital, situated half a mile from the town of Newtownmountkennedy has an interesting history. Although it is now a psychiatric hospital, it was the first national T.B. hospital to be built in Ireland. Another smaller local hospital was already in existence in Belfast. When one realises that in the late 19th century approximately 10,000 people died every year of T.B. the hospital was badly needed.

The acute inpatient service receives patients from Wicklow Mental Health Service and the North Wexford/Gorey sector (population 31000) part of the Wexford Mental Health Services. It is located in Glencree Unit in Newcastle Hospital and has the facility for 24 inpatients. There is also an 18 bedded unit for patients who require long-term care, including care of elderly patients with psychological and behavioral disturbance due to dementia. There are three medium/low support hostels in the catchment area