St Conal's Hospital
Under the Lunacy Act 1880 the Local Authorities had legal Obligation for the care of the mentally
ill. After a number of enquiries and Acts of Parliament, a Lunacy Commission was established in 1845
with powers to control and effect improvements.
An order in Council dated 4 February 1860 was made directing the Board of Control of Lunatic
Asylums "to provide accommodation for the Lunatics of County
Donegal". The decision was made to build a hospital in Letterkenny
to accommodate 300 patients. The building was complete in early 1866 at a
cost of approximately £37,000. When the building was completed it was
put under the control and management of a Board of Governors who held
monthly meetings in a part of the building known as the Boardroom.The first resident
Medical Superintendent was Dr Eams and the first Secretary was Mr. Stuart
Russell. Charles Mc Ginley who lived at Knocknamona was probably the
first head attendandant and he held this position until he retired on
pension.
The farm was purchased from John R Fleming about the year 1906.
Shortly afterwards a Mr. Gallagher was appointed Land Stewart and was installed
with family in a house convenient to the farmyard. In those days a
ploughman was employed and his work was very demanding - he was obliged
to take horses to work in the fields every day except Sunday. Philip
Bryson was the dairyman, he lived at Knocknamona in the area where cows
were also housed. The cattle at that time were all hand milked and the
milk was conveyed to the Asylum by donkey and cart.At that time the
patients were required to do all the farmwork and three wooden sheds were
erected near the farm where they took their meals - usually taken out by
donkey and cart. To meet the need for
further accommodation various other buildings and extensions were added
since it first opened.
