Ardkeen Hospital

Ardkeen House or 'Elva' as it was originally called stood in the site of what now is the Waterford Regional Hospital. The original house was demolished to build a laundry and today only the gate lodge remains. 

In 1947 the Waterford County Council decided to acquire Ardkeen House and the 50 acres of surrounding land from the de Bromhead family. Initially the original house was converted into a regional sanatorium catering for 40 patients.

Tuberculosis was widespread in Ireland and in 1948 The Infectious Diseases Allowance introduced under the 1947 Health Act meant that allowances were payable to the dependant of those undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. This encouraged more people to seek treatment and increased the waiting lists. Dr. Noel Browne, the then Minister for Health reviewed the position and suggested that a 250 Chest Hospital be built. Waterford County Council under took to build and run such a hospital, which would provide a service for Waterford as well as the Counties of Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Carlow.

The Chest Hospital wing of the sub regional sanatorium (accommodating 120 patients) was opened at Ardkeen on Monday 21 July 1952. It was estimated that the whole project would cost £750 000 and would be completed in nine months. A staff of 130 (nearly all resident) would care for the 250 patients making a self-contained community 480.  The Waterford News of 25 July 1952 reported; “the people of Waterford and the surrounding counties will have at their disposal an institution for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis second to none in the country” (3).

Further Information

A Guide to Irish Country Houses Mark Bence-Jones 

Shipbuilding in Waterford Bill Irish (2001)

Ireland's Hospitals 1930-1955 J O'Seehan and E. de Barra

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Click here

Waterford News 25 July 1952 p3

See Also

Ardkeen House

Other Big Houses

Ardkeen History - Index