The Mater University Hospital Our history Home About Our history The Mater Hospital was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1852. In 1861, the hospital officially opened its doors, providing the best in medical care to all those who needed it - irrespective of their means. This philosophy and mission continues to this day. The hospital has witnessed many of the most dramatic events in the nation's history. These included the cholera and Spanish flu epidemics, as well as the events of the revolutionary period and more recent troubles. Centenary remembrance The Mater Hospital, along with many of the other hospitals, cared for the dying and wounded of the 1916 Rising. As it is the last remaining adult hospital from that period still operating on its original site, the staff decided to organise a number of events on the occasion of the centenary. These included: A display documenting the events in and around the hospital before and during the Rising A play, co–written by a relative of the 1916 leaders, performed by staff in the Freeman Auditorium A mass in rememberance of those killed in the rising See the Stories from 1916 website here for accounts and a podcast recording of a member of staff working in the Mater Hospital during the 1916 Rising. Plans for our heritage centre Building on the work of Sr Eugene Nolan and others, the Mater Hospital is planning to establish a heritage centre at the hospital. This heritage centre will serve as a focal point where staff, patients and the general public can learn more about the hospital and it's rich history. The heritage centre will host exhibitions and displays and will demonstrate how the hospital has engaged with the social, political and medical changes in Ireland for over 150 years. The heritage centre will also be responsible for the care and maintenance of the hospital archives. In the future, we hope to make these archives available to the general public for research. Our hospital's timeline 2016 125th anniversary of nursing in the Mater Hospital 2015 30th anniversary since the first heart transplant was carried out in Ireland at the hospital 10th anniversary of the first lung transplant at the Mater Hospital Opening of new hematology/oncology day ward 2013 Transformation Office Lean academy established 2012 Opening of the new Whitty Wing 2010 Mater Smithfield Rapid Injury Clinic opened Rapid Access Prostate Clinic and Rapid Access Lung Clinic opened 2008 Neurological Institute officially opened by President of Ireland, Mary McAleese 2007 First double lung transplant performed Family Heart Screen Clinic opened 2006 Clinical Research Centre established Centre for Nurse Education opened 2005 First lung transplant procedure performed BreastHealth Mater Unit opened 2003 Pulmonary Hypertension Unit officially opened by President Mary McAleese 1993 National Spinal Injuries Unit opened 1989 New extension built with over 300 beds 1985 Heart transplant programme started 1972 Shooting attempt in hospital in an attempt to free an IRA prisioner 1955 Physiotherapy School opened 1952 First heart surgery procedure performed (mitral valvotomy) 1940 Physiotherapy Department opened 1935 First time blood transfusion is possible 1927 Insulin first introduced in Ireland at the Mater 1916 Hospital cares for dead and wounded from the Easter Rising 1914 - 1918 WW1 "hospital ships" bring injured soldiers to the Mater Hospital, and Mater doctors and nurses travel to the front lines to treat injured soldiers 1911 Golden Jubilee year (annual cost per bed £29-15-7d) 1906 Small purpose-built X-ray Department completed 1900 Queen Victoria visits 1891 School of Nursing opened 1888 First full-time pathologist in Ireland appointed 1878 First medical specialist appointed (obstetric physician) 1871 Smallpox epidemic – 800 patients admitted 1866 Cholera epidemic – 206 cholera patients admitted (annual budget £3,818-7-5d) 1861 Hospital formally opened on 24th September 1851 Land on Eccles Street acquired 1845 Permission to build a hospital granted Resources Web accessibility Cookie Management Privacy Notice Freedom of information Data Protection Information governance Staff links Contact Us Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7. Ph: 353 (01) 803 2000 VAT No: IE6371402U Registered in Ireland No: 351402 Charity No: CHY203 Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20000349 Make a donation SPEAK