The oldest continuously operating maternity hospital in the World

The Rotunda Hospital was originally known as ‘The Dublin Lying-In Hospital’ and was founded by Bartholomew Mosse in 1745. Mosse was a surgeon and man-mid wife and was appalled at the conditions that pregnant mothers had to endure at this time. It was decided that a new hospital was needed and its beautiful design was undertaken by Richard Cassels, the greatest architect to work in Ireland during the 18th century. Cassels was responsible for designing some of Ireland’s great houses including Leinster House, Russborough House, Westport House, and Powerscourt House. The hospital was a charitable institution and had several public function rooms where fundraising activities were held. One of these areas was the large rotunda, which the hospital is now named after. It is estimated that over 300,000 babies have been born here.