Lucy Hartstonge

Lucy Hartstonge (born Lucy Pery) was an Irish heiress and philanthropist who founded the first fever hospital in Ireland (located in the city of Limerick), in the late 18th century.[1]

Lucy Hartstonge
Born
Lucy Pery

c. 1722
Limerick, Ireland
Died20 March 1793
Limerick Ireland
Resting placeBruff, County Limerick, Ireland
SpouseSir Henry Hartstonge, 3rd Baronet

Family

Lucy Pery was born c. 1722 into one of Limerick city's most politically influential families, the only daughter of the Rev. Stackpole Pery and Jane Twigge. Her maternal grandfather was William Twigg, Archdeacon of Limerick. She was the younger sister of Edmund Pery, 1st Viscount Pery and William Pery, 1st Baron Glentworth.

In 1751 she married Sir Henry Hartstonge, 3rd Baronet,[2] also MP for Limerick, after whom the Limerick streets of Henry Street and Sir Harry's Mall are named; Hartstonge Street (now divided into Upper and Lower sections) is named for them both.[3] The Hartstonges had no children, and the baronetcy died with Henry. She died on 20 March 1793 in Limerick City and interred in her husband's family vault in Bruff, County Limerick.[4]

Projects

In 1776, she erected a new church in Bruff, County Limerick.[5]

Hospital

Independently wealthy,[6] Lady Hartstonge purchased the site of the old St John's Barracks in 1780, and founded the Lock and Fever Hospital (now St. John's Hospital, Limerick), the city's first hospital, in an old guard-house, beginning with three wards opened in 1781.[7][8][9][10] She persuaded wealthy friends to donate to the hospital project, and her husband agreed to act as treasurer; she worked in the hospital herself until her death in 1793.[9]

In 1988, the Limerick Civic Trust erected a plaque detailing her involvement in the foundation of the hospital.[11]

References
  1. Bennis, Ernest (1951). Reminiscences of Old Limerick. Technical Institute.
  2. Malcomson, A. P. W. "Collection List No. 121 THE LIMERICK PAPERS" (PDF). National Library of Ireland. National Library of Ireland. p. iii. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  3. The History of Munster Hall (1899-today). Limerick (city), Ireland: GBM Limerick. p. 2.
  4. "Limerick". Limerick Chronicle. 23 March 1793.
  5. "Limerick Diocesan Heritage Project - Bruff-Meanus-Grange Parish". limerickdioceseheritage.org. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  6. Slater, Sharon. "I Love Limerick - The Perys". I Love Limerick (with Limerick's Life). Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  7. "Did you know? Limerick facts 2". Limerick's Life. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  8. "Saint John's Hospital, New Road, Pennywell, LIMERICK MUNICIPAL BOROUGH, Limerick". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  9. Hannan, Kevin (15 March 1994). "Two centuries of care at St John's Hospital". Limerick Chronicle. p. 12.
  10. "About Us – St. Johns Hospital". Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  11. "Limerick looks back in pride: 35 Plaques". Limerick Leader. 8 October 1988.
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