Mullingar hospital grotto given A revamp

A grotto built at St. Loman's Hospital in Mullingar almost 45 years ago, has just received a complete facelift, due to the efforts of both patients and staff at St. Edna's unit in the town. 

Completely remodelled in the facelift, the grotto - in honour of Our Lady - was unveiled at a rededication and blessing ceremony at which hospital chaplain Fr. Colm Browne officiated this week. 

According to the Westmeath Examiner most people familiar with the grotto in the grounds of St. Loman's Hospital think the grotto was built in the Marian year 1954.  In fact, it was not until 1964 that the idea of building it was first mooted.  It seems that at that time a number of large coniferous trees which were located in and around the shrine location had to be felled and the idea of building a Shrine to Our Lady to replace them was put forward.

Speaking at the rededication ceremony, director of nursing at the hospital Larry Ward thanked all of those who had been involved in the project. 

He paid a special tribute to Joseph Maleady, senior staff nurse, who initially proposed the project and was the driving force behind it, and his senior staff nurse colleagues Dermot Cooney and John Kenny. 

He said that “Over the past number of weeks, despite the terrible weather, these people worked hard to ensure the completion of the project in time.”

Mr. Ward added, “despite the fact that the country is in recession, and the impact on staff of the recent pay cuts, the manner in which people had pulled together to achieve the completion of this project was a demonstration of the wonderful spirit of the staff of St. Loman's.” 

He also acknowledged the fact that the funding for the project had been provided from a number of sources, which included a staff social night, the patients' comfort fund, the Mental Health Association and St. Loman's Church Fund. 

He expressed his thanks to all associated with the project.

by Sean Ryan