Mary Aikenhead had a dream to open a hospital for the poor. This only strengthened the resolve to fulfill her dream of a hospital. She heard of a house for sale at St Stephens Green for £3,000.

This large amount of money was not the only problem. The people on the more affluent Southside did not take kindly to the idea of a free hospital. That did not stop her.

Due to good public relations from her more wealthy patrons and donations the Sisters of Charity were able to buy the building on 23rd January 1834. The money for the renovations and supplies was secured by more donations, some of it coming from England and Scotland.

Nurses in Ireland

Another problem that Mother Aikenhead had to overcome was the appointment of nurses. In her time nursing was not a skilled profession. Only the poorest and lower class took on the job of nursing. They had no training whatsoever. The conditions they worked in were dangerous and unhygienic, for themselves and their patients.

No Respectable Lady Would Become a Nurse

When Dr O'Ferrall pointed this out to Mother Aikenhead she said in her usual way that ‘just because it had never been done before that was no reason why it shouldn't be done now.’ She sent three of her nuns to a hospital in Paris.

The Nuns of the Order of St Thomas of Villanova had set it up. They would receive the best training available in hygiene and good nursing practice. She told Dr O'Ferrall she envisioned that one day nursing would become a respected and honourable profession. Doctor O'Ferrall gave the hospital his full support and worked there long hours for free.