Ireland was not unique in creating and perpetuating an institutional response to insanity, but did enjoy the dubious distinction of having, by 1950s, the world's highest number of psychiatric beds per capita. Social and medical historians have posited various theories for this, but to date none have examined the spaces and landscapes created to facilitate this spectacular expansion in institutional provision. The research on which this book is based reveals the meaning and significance of the architectural and landscape legacy from the inception of the asylum system to its extinction, in the context of an evolving political, social, medical and economic climate. The research reveals a rich typology - from the earliest structures which embodied Enlightenment theories and pioneering approaches to treatment within their very fabric, through impressive architectural set-pieces designed by the leading architects of the era, to enormous receptacles of the hopeless which demonstrated technical ingenuity in addressing the challenges of accommodating historically unprecedented numbers of people in a single building. Most were set within designed landscapes which attest to the original curative aspirations of the institution.

'The richness and originality of this book lies in these typographical comparisons, which is a substantial and important contribution to Ireland’s architectural history.’ - Review by Dervla MacManus, Architecture Ireland (May 2023); 'The Magdalen Laundries and the mother-and-baby homes are not the only institutions Irish society has used for hiding its embarrassments' - Mary Leland, Irish Examiner, February 2022.; 'Quinlan's wonderful book will undoubtedly become the vade mecum for the history of Ireland's "mental hospital" buildings and, as such, adds significantly to the broader historiography of psychiatry in Ireland.' - The Medical Independent, October 2022.; 'STANDING proudly in its own grounds at Mulgrave Street, St Joseph's Hospital is a landmark building on the edge of the city. Now architect and historian Patrick Quinlan has uncovered a fascinating history of the facility which includes tales of its earliest patients escaping and "nocturnal sorties by unmarried colleagues"'. - Limerick Leader.

Patrick Quinlan is an architect with both a lifelong personal interest in historic buildings and a masters qualification in architectural conservation. He is a past recipient of a Dissertation Commendation at the international RIBA. He has just commenced a PhD at Birkbeck, University of London, where he will be examining the stigma and significance associated with former asylum sites in Ireland.