Madam, - I read with interest the letter from Kingsley Prescott (November 17th) in which he speculates that the Eastwell Residential Home, founded in 1766, may be the oldest charity in Dublin. For the benefit of your readers, it is my belief that the Royal Hospital Donnybrook, founded in 1743, is the oldest charity not only in Dublin, but also in Ireland.
Originally located in Fleet Street under the title "The Hospital for Incurables", it later moved to its present site in Donnybrook in 1792 and received its Royal Charter in 1887. In the 1980s it was decided to extend the scope of the hospital to make "step-down" facilities available for the general hospitals in our area. At this time, its name was changed to the Royal Hospital Donnybrook.
It is now recognised as a major service provider in the capital with a bed complement of 210. It provides extended care, rehabilitation for the elderly, and a range of services for young disabled adults. It also caters for a further 25 patients daily in the Day Hospital, and our "Slán Abhaile" programme provides seven-day support in their own homes for people discharged from an acute hospital, who otherwise would face admission to a nursing home.
All day-to-day running costs are borne by the health authorities.
However, the major part of capital expenditure is secured from private donations and we are grateful to all who assist us, both public and private.
The history of the hospital, written by Helen Burke under the title, The Royal Hospital Donnybrook: A Heritage of Caring, was published in 1993 - the 250th anniversary of its founding. - Yours, etc.,
M.G. O'CONNOR, Chairman, Royal Hospital Donnybrook, Dublin 4.