Hospital (Irish: An tOspidéal or Ospidéal Ghleann Áine)[2] is a village in east County Limerick, Ireland. It is also a civil parish in the ancient barony of Smallcounty.[3] The village's population was 674 in the 2022 census.[1] The village itself is situated in the townland of Barrysfarm,[4] one of 11 in the civil parish. It lies on the River Mahore, a tributary of the River Camogue.
The village acquired its name from the crusading Knights Hospitaller who built the archaeologically significant Hospital Church here before 1215.[2] This church has the remains of three tombs, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries.[citation needed]
The village's secondary school was completed in 2000 and had around 1,000 students in 2018.[5] There is also a primary school which was completed in the summer of 2004. Hospital is also home to one of Limerick's Youthreach schools.
Hospital had six public houses in 2017, but this had reduced to four by July 2024.
Hospital association football team was founded in 1881 by Sir P.J. Butler. Formerly known as Hospital Crusaders, today it is called Kilfrush Crusaders. Other recreational bodies include the local tennis and handball clubs.
Hospital also has an active Family Resource Centre on Knockainey Road.
The village celebrated the 800th anniversary of its foundation in 2015.
Development
In 2006, Limerick County Council published a local area development plan for Hospital which laid out plans and proposals for the future expansion of the village.[6]
George Cecil Bennett (1877-1963), TD for Limerick 1927-1948 and Senator 1948–1951. resident at Rathaney House (now demolished) Obituary of Mr George C Bennett Irish Times Tuesday June 25 1963 (accessible via paywall on Irish Times website )[citation needed]
