1879 – Home for Protestant Incurables, Cork

The original Home was founded in 1872 by Miss Frances Fitzgerald Gregg and was located in Albert House, Victoria Road. This building opened 14 October 1879. From time to time disquiet about the old-fashioned and very Victorian name was voiced. Eventually, in 1966 the name was changed to St. Luke’s Home, Cork. Now the Address Hotel, Military Hill in Cork. Closed in 1994 with a move to modern facilities in Mahon. Cork.

“WE give this week an illustration of the Protestant Incurables’ Home, St. Luke’s, Cork, built from the design and under the superintendence of Mr. W.H. Hill, B.E., architect, of Cork. Standing in the suburbs upon an eminence far above the level of the city, this building has already proved itself to be of a most beneficial kind, and although only just completed is fully tenanted by incurables — the left wing by female patients, and the right one is a memorial wing for male patients. The plan has not been cramped, the sanitary appliances are of the most approved kinds, and thorough ventilation has been obtained. The materials used for facing are red bricks with white and black brick bands, and window heads judiciously placed, and relieved by red terra-cotta or Bath stone bands. In the front are light iron balconies to each floor, which (although marring to a certain extent the external appearance) are a great boon and almost a necessity to those convalescents who are unable to leave the building. The balconies are supported by slender iron columns, which rest upon a deep bold plinth of local brown stone. In addition there is a gate-keeper’s lodge, nearly completed, at the entrance of large, well-arranged, and wooded grounds, from which a splendid view of the city, river Lee, and the surrounding country is obtained. The builder was Mr. Samuel Hill, of Cork, who has carried out the work both expeditiously and well.” The Architect, October 22 1881.