the rotunda hospital

Just beyond the Parnell Monument stands the circular Rotunda Room, which witnessed recitals by the young John Field and readings by Charles Dickens. The Rotunda Hospital (1751 - 1755) occupies the south side of the square. Designed by Richard Cassels and completed after his death, this impressive building was the first maternity hospital in Europe.

It was founded by Dr Bartholomew Moss (1712 - 1759), a tireless worker who devoted his short and busy life to midwifery and the Rotunda project. He bought the entire central area of the square in 1748 and developed gardens and entertainment areas in it ot fund the hospital. Mosse did not live to see the completion of its loveliest feature, the hospital chapel. The plasterwork in the chapel by Barthelemy Cramillion is the most exuberant in Dublin and has gained an international reputation.

It is still used as a materity hospital today, as it tought to be the oldest maternity hospital in Europe.