Hospital, County Limerick

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'Hospital'
An tOspidéal

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
52°28′00″N 8°25′60″W / 52.46667, -8.4333

Irish grid reference
R703356

Statistics

Population (2006)
- Town:
- Environs:

1,206
1,977

Hospital (An tOspidéal in Irish) is a town in east County Limerick, Republic of Ireland.

The town acquired its name from the crusading Knights Hospitaller who built the archaeologically significant cathedral here in 1215. This cathedral has the remains of three interesting tombs, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries.

An alternative explanation, from the bio of Sir Valentine Browne, Knight, Surveyor general of Ireland who was awarded lands in the area by Queen Elizabeth I of England is that it anciently formed part of the parish of Aney, and derived its name from a hospital for Knights Templar, founded in 1226 by Geoffry de Marisco, then Lord-Justice of Ireland;

The "Old Cork Road" from Limerick to Mitchelstown and Cork (also known today as the R513) passes through the town. There are plans to upgrade this road, forming an alternative Limerick to Cork road.

Hospital being one of the biggest towns in Limerick hosts a number of retail outlets and businesses. Some regular Hospital haunts include "Scobies Bar" (a favourite with all school students) and O' Sullivans Shop. The town itself has a population of 1206 people as of the 2006 census but within a 2km radius that number increases to a much greater amount. The town has a renowned secondary school which was completed in 2000 and has over 650 students. There is also a new primary school which was completed in the summer of 2004. Hospital has one of Limerick's youthreach school's at the top of the street. Surrounding areas of interest include the Stone Circle at Ballinamona. Minor expansion for the town is planned with a development plan by Limerick County Council in the initial design stages.