Tuesday, 2 October 2012

St Brendan's, Grangegorman: conservation tender

The National Archives of Ireland (NAI) has put out to tender a contract for conservation repair work to the archives of St Brendan's Mental Hospital, Grangegorman.

These records are the most extensive surviving collection of mental hospital records in Ireland.

Originally established as the Richmond Lunatic Asylum, this was the earliest and largest of the Irish public asylums.

The archives consist of manuscript documents comprising case books, admission registers, minute books, hospital report books, committal forms and patient files (1850s to 1970s) and correspondence.

They are an unrivalled source for research but access is restricted due to the very poor condition of the papers. In addition to being very dirty, they have suffered water and mould damage.

The closing date for tenders is 18 October and the start date 1 November. Phase 1 of the contract is to be carried out over six months. The contract may be renewed into a second year. Work is to be carried out at the NAI premises in Bishop Street, Dublin.

See the full invitation to tender at the NAI site.

The project has been funded by the Wellcome Trust.