GOOD•NEWS•SNAPS
o l d • t h r o n e
The Throne Hospital was established due to the generosity of the Martin family, whose wealth was derived from the Shrigley flax spinning mills. Samuel Martin conceived the idea of establishing a children's hospital in a rural district close to the City of Belfast.
Although he died in 1872, his philanthropic wishes were honoured: 28 acres of land were purchased and a children's hospital with 32 beds was built at a cost of £4,000 to the designs of the architect T. Hevey. It opened to patients in 1874.
The site must have been wonderful back then - situated on the lower escarpment of the Cavehill, and commanding an uninterrupted view of Belfast Lough. Today the building has been converted to offices, confined to a cramped site, and surrounded by the Greater Belfast urban sprawl.
In the first annual report of the Throne Children's Hospital for year ending 1876, it is recorded that 121 patients were admitted, of whom 44 were deemed cured, 41 relieved, 29 incurable, 4 died and 3 were discharged for bad conduct!
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Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
(Psalm 93:2)
o l d • t h r o n e
The Throne Hospital was established due to the generosity of the Martin family, whose wealth was derived from the Shrigley flax spinning mills. Samuel Martin conceived the idea of establishing a children's hospital in a rural district close to the City of Belfast.
Although he died in 1872, his philanthropic wishes were honoured: 28 acres of land were purchased and a children's hospital with 32 beds was built at a cost of £4,000 to the designs of the architect T. Hevey. It opened to patients in 1874.
The site must have been wonderful back then - situated on the lower escarpment of the Cavehill, and commanding an uninterrupted view of Belfast Lough. Today the building has been converted to offices, confined to a cramped site, and surrounded by the Greater Belfast urban sprawl.
In the first annual report of the Throne Children's Hospital for year ending 1876, it is recorded that 121 patients were admitted, of whom 44 were deemed cured, 41 relieved, 29 incurable, 4 died and 3 were discharged for bad conduct!
_______________________
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
(Psalm 93:2)