Item 1 - Minute Book 1888-1919

Bound volume c.190 pages

Leather bound minute book of the King’s County Infirmary board of management meetings. Minutes contain the proceedings of meetings such as the overview of the patient admissions and discharges, suppliers of provisions and statements of accounts. Records decisions regarding the hiring and managing of staff, complaints, fees for patients, and building repairs and improvements. Includes occasional notes on specific patients and transcription of correspondence to various bodies including the County Council and notes of thanks to various donors such as the Countess of Rosse from 1895-1905. Other items discussed were the implementation of a new surgical theatre in 1909 and a tuberculosis sanitorium in 1913.

Prominent members of the Board include Rev. Graham Craig, Rev. Maxwell Coote, Reginald Digby, Joshua C Goodbody, J Perry Goodbody, Lewis Goodbody, John Tarleton, Henry Egan, Rev. P Callery, and Rev R.S. Craig, Dr George Ridley. Registrar: Hugh T Love

The first entry in the minute book records a special meeting of the governors in which they appoint a new surgeon to the infirmary following the death of Dr James Ridley. Ridley who also acted as the Tullamore Jail Physician was reported to have died by suicide on the morning he was due to give evidence in court regarding the harsh treatment of John Mandeville, a national league activist who was imprisoned under the Irish Crimes Act in 1887.

A meeting in February 1900 discussed the dismissal of two servants and the cook for gross misconduct after admitting two male patients to their bedroom.

The hospital surgeon Dr Meagher (appointed in 1906 following the death of Dr George Ridley) served in the Royal Medical Corp during WW1 between 1914-1915.

By appointment only. Contact Offaly Archives at [email protected]

May be reproduced in accordance with provisions of the Copyright and Related Rights Act (2000). No reproduction online, in print or broadcast without express permission of copyright holder.

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The binding is in a fragile condition, with spine partially disbound.