The next Dublin City Council commemorative plaque will mark the original site of the Rotunda Hospital, founded in South Great George’s Street in 1745 by Bartholomew Mosse.
The ‘Rotunda’, Ireland’s first dedicated maternity hospital, or ‘lying-in hospital’, remained on the site until 1757, when it relocated to Rutland [now Parnell] Square.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin will unveil the plaque in a ceremony at 11 a.m. on 1 November, at Decwells Hardware, 60 South Great Georges Street, the date chosen to coincide with the Rotunda’s ‘Charter Day’.
Professor Seán Daly, Master of the Rotunda, will also speak, sharing insights into the hospital’s rich heritage and its transformation into a world-renowned institution.
Bartholomew Mosse established the original hospital on South Great George’s Street in response to high maternal and infant mortality rates in the 18th century. Driven by a vision to create a safe space where women of all backgrounds could access childbirth services, Mosse’s ‘lying-in hospital’ became a pioneering haven of care.
In 1757, the hospital moved to a larger, purpose-built facility on Parnell Square, where it continues to serve Dublin’s families and stands as a beacon of progress in maternal health.
This new commemorative plaque will stand as a tribute not only to Mosse’s dedication but also to Dublin’s historic commitment to public health.
The Rotunda Hospital, known worldwide for its contribution to maternal care and medical education, remains true to its founding ideals. The plaque on South Great George’s Street will mark an essential chapter in its story, reminding Dubliners of its humble beginnings and long-standing dedication to mothers and infants across Ireland.
We invite you to join us for this special event, celebrating the remarkable legacy of the Rotunda Hospital and the visionary spirit of Bartholomew Mosse, who laid the foundation for over two and a half centuries of compassionate, essential care in the heart of Dublin.