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Join us on 08th May 2025 at 7pm for an engaging talk by Dr. Johnny Hamill, exploring the origins of mental health care in the region, from the hospital's founding in 1853 to the early 20th century.
Originally opened as the Omagh District Lunatic Asylum under the stewardship of Dr. Francis J. West, the hospital was designed to serve 300 patients from Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone. The building, designed by renowned architect William Farrell (also responsible for Enniskillen Gaol), was a beacon of progressive mental health care for its time. Despite its imposing façade, staff affectionately referred to it as "the house," an effort to create a sense of home and humanity within its walls.
This event will delve into the hospital’s evolution, from its early days addressing the stigma around mental health to the expansion of its facilities to accommodate growing demand. By the turn of the 20th century, the T&F had grown to house 500 patients, complete with a library, brass band, cricket ground, farm, woodland walks, and spaces for indoor and outdoor recreation – all designed to create a therapeutic environment.
Attendees will learn about the day-to-day running of the institution and meet the key figures who shaped its history, including medical superintendents, matrons, and attendants. Their stories reflect the development of mental health care in Omagh during this pivotal period, as well as the wider social changes of the time.
Don’t miss this chance to uncover the rich and complex history of the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital and the people who dedicated their lives to improving mental health care.