OUR LADY’S HOSPITAL CORK DISTRICT ASYLUM [WAS EGLINGTON ASYLUM]

Unless you have a car this is not an easy place to get to and public transport did not appear to be available.

At the time I photographed this large building I concluded that the complex consisted of three sections two of which are apartment blocks and one derelict section. One block is marketed as “River Towers” and an other section is marketed as “Atkin’s Hall”. I do not know how to refer to the derelict section. There is also an abandoned church. There is  an old gate lodge which is now occupied by Brady Group Agricultural.


Cork asylum was first established in 1789. The Eglington Asylum, was originally in three separate blocks, later to be joined together, in the interest of providing more accommodation, to become the longest facade of any building in the country it opened 1852.


The asylum was named after the Earl of Eglinton and it was designed by local architect William Atkins.

At one stage An Taisce were concerned about this complex of buildings and issued the following appraisal:

“The building is suffering from major conservation problems. Most of the external fabric remains, but there are obvious signs of deterioration such as slipped slates, vegetation growth, broken windows and vandalism. There is no immediate danger of collapse but condition is such that unless urgent remedial works are carried out the building will sharply deteriorate.

Designed by William Atkins, the random coursed stone, multi gabled elevation creates an impressive architectural massing. Formerly the Eglington Asylum, it is one of the largest 19th century institutional buildings in the country. It is prominently sited on ridge overlooking the Lee Valley to the west of city. Following vacation of hospital use, permission was granted for a conversion of the existing building to a new residential development. Only half of the existing building has been converted to apartments with the remainder left abandoned. Significant fire damage has occurred to the unfinished section in 2010. This building urgently requires new uses to be identified to prevent further deterioration of its character.”

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