Library Forum

Three of my relatives died in this Asylum ~

2 in 1894 and another in 1890 but they were not mental patients.

One had tuberculosis; another had suffered for two years with hepatic disease before dying in 1894.

The third died of marasmus in 1890 ~ Marasmus is defined as "malnutrition of the brain" ~ could this be mental illness?

The family was not poor and had means so I do not think they were "County Patients". They probably could have afforded treatment anywhere....

So ~ was Ennis Lunatic Asylum also a hospital?

Any idea of its reputation as a medical facility?

Thanks for reading!

See the meaty article at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/librar ... roject.htm relating to Our Lady’s Hospital which first opened its doors in 1868 and was then known as Ennis District Lunatic Asylum. Clare Mental Health Services, on behalf of the Mid Western Health Board, placed the archives of Our Lady’s Hospital in Clare County Archives on the closure of the hospital in March, 2002. The collection has now been fully catalogued by Clare County Archives.This collection will now be available to the public subject to closure periods imposed on certain categories of records to protect the privacy of individuals. The entire collection will not be open until 2110.

I'm not sure what the latter statement means in respect to your family records. It would probably be best to phone the archives for more information (see Contact details at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/archiv ... act_us.htm).

Paddy

Just wanted to leave an update for this post of mine.

After submitting a FOI (Freedom of Information) form, ALL of the records found for my ancestors were copied and sent to me!

I am pleasantly shocked at what was included......

It was a very productive day when they were delivered!

A "shout out" to County Clare Archivist, Rene Franklyn, who was extremely helpful!

Suaan