The new exhibition is being officially launched today by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, at The Little Museum of Dublin. It tells the story of one of Ireland’s oldest maternity hospitals and the generations of women, newborns, families and healthcare professionals who have shaped its history.

Founded in 1826, The Coombe Hospital has played a significant role in the development of healthcare for women and newborns in Ireland. Over two centuries, the hospital has witnessed, and contributed to, the transformation of medicine, from a time when healthcare was based on the theory of the four humours and there was no anaesthesia or understanding of bacteria, to today’s specialist, evidence-based care.

The exhibition explores some of the people, milestones and healthcare advances that have shaped The Coombe over 200 years, including:

• The Royal Charter: In 1867, Queen Victoria granted the Coombe Lying-in Hospital a royal charter, formally recognising its vital role in providing maternity care to poor women in Dublin. The charter continues to shape The Coombe’s identity and governance today.
• Advances in obstetric care: At The Coombe, Dr John Drumm, working with Dr Dermot FitzGerald, pioneered the use of Doppler ultrasound to assess blood flow in the umbilical cord. Their research, published in 1977, contributed to the development of techniques that help clinicians assess fetal wellbeing and identify risks in pregnancy.
• Development of professional nursing and midwifery: From its inception in 1826, and ratified by royal charter in 1867, The Coombe Hospital played a role in the development of formal training for nurses and midwives, as healthcare moved towards the professional, specialist care we recognise today.
• Family planning: The Coombe opened its Family Planning Clinic in the early 1970s, providing an important service for women and families, a notable and at the time controversial departure from the conservative social norms of the period.
• Two centuries of Irish history: From the Act of Union and the Great Famine to the Spanish Flu, two World Wars, Irish War of Independence and COVID-19, The Coombe has continued to provide care through periods of profound change in Ireland.

The exhibition also explores the origins of The Coombe Hospital which date to the harsh winter of 1825, when two pregnant women attempting to reach the Rotunda Hospital became stranded in a snowstorm near Thomas Street. Both women and their newborns tragically died. Led by Mrs Margaret Boyle, a group of concerned citizens responded by establishing maternity care in the Meath Hospital in Dublin’s Liberties. A maternity service was established there in 1826, before the hospital was purchased and formally opened as The Coombe Lying-In Hospital in 1967.

A special commemorative coffee table book ‘The Coombe Hospital: 1826-2026’ written by Dr Michael O’Dowd is also being launched today. The book is available to purchase from the Little Museum of Dublin shop.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, said:

“The Coombe holds a special place in the life of Dublin, having cared for generations of women, newborns and families over the past 200 years. Its history is woven into the story of our city, and its continuing contribution to women’s health is a source of immense pride. I am delighted to launch this exhibition and commemorative book at the Little Museum of Dublin, and to congratulate everyone at The Coombe, past and present, of two centuries of care, compassion and innovation.”

Master of The Coombe Hospital, Professor Michael O’Connell, said:

‍ “For 200 years, The Coombe has been part of the lives of generations of Dublin families, welcoming new life and advancing care for women and newborns. From its beginnings in The Liberties to the specialist hospital it is today, The Coombe has continually evolved, shaped by the dedication of its people, advances in medicine and a commitment to improving care. Our bicentenary is an opportunity to celebrate that remarkable journey, recognise the generations who have contributed to it, and reflect on the role The Coombe continues to play in women’s and newborn healthcare. We are proud of our history and the part we continue to play in shaping the future of care.”

Curator of The Little Museum of Dublin, Daryl Hendley Rooney, said:

“Two centuries ago, a group of concerned citizens led by Margaret Boyle saw that the women of Dublin’s Liberties deserved better than to risk their lives crossing the city to give birth. Since then, The Coombe Hospital has become an important part of Dublin's social history. Its story, ultimately, is about changing lives; lives shaped by advances in medicine, the experiences of generations of women and families, and an enduring commitment to care. We are very proud to collaborate with The Coombe Hospital on this project.”

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