Many servicemen suffered psychological trauma during WWI. The Hermitage Hospital, Lucan, established in early 1917, was the first Irish hospital solely dedicated to the treatment of "shell-shock". (NLI: Irish Life 17 Aug 1917)
Even part of Dublin Castle, the centre of British administration in Ireland, was used as a military hospital. This utilitarian purpose contrasted with the grandeur of the surroundings. (NLI: Irish Life 19 Mar 1915)
Existing hospitals took in the war wounded almost from the outset. These images from St Ann's Hydropathic Hospital, Blarney were published less than a month after Britain entered the war. (NLI: Irish Life 28 Aug 1914)
The demand was such that even some private homes were converted for use as military hospitals, including Firmount House outside Clane, Co. Kildare. (NLI: Irish Life 1 Feb 1918)
