Brings a wealth of medical experience as a recently retired Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Clinical Professor, UCD School of Medicine. For over 26 years, he worked in the Rotunda Hospital overseeing the development of the Perinatal Mental Health Services and at the Mater Hospital as Clinical Lead in Liaison Psychiatry. He developed new services in neuropsychiatry and transplantation psychiatry.
ROTUNDA FOUNDATION
The Rotunda Foundation is the official fundraising arm for the Rotunda Hospital. We raise funds to support the outstanding care delivered at the Hospital. Donations fund additional vital equipment, family and baby care initiatives and research.
Established in 1745 by Bartholomew Mosse, The Rotunda Hospital is the World’s first Maternity Training Hospital. A ballroom ‘rotunda’, function rooms and pleasure gardens, were built on site to fund the maternity care of Dublin’s poorest women.
Now 275 years later, with 8,000 babies born per annum the Rotunda Hospital remains the Maternity Hospital of Choice. Through the Rotunda Foundation the charitable arm of the Hospital, donations to the charity provide funding for vital equipment, research and infrastructure that makes exceptional maternity care possible.
READY TO TALK TO OUR TEAM
OUR HISTORY
Bartholomew Mosse’s altruistic concern for the welfare of expectant mothers on the streets of Dublin in 1739 -1740 lead him to become one of Irelands first philanthropist.
Gathering generous patrons and benefactors from Dublin’s society he raised enough funds to open the First Maternity Training Hospital in the World on the 15th March 1745.
Continuing his fundraising ventures in 1750 he purchased a plot of land and built Dublins Pleasure Gardens on the current site of the Rotunda Hospital. It was opened to visitors who after paying a fee to enter could take a walk, listen to concerts at the band stand, play tennis or bowls on the lawn, or take afternoon tea.
He organised concerts by eminent contemporary European musicians and recitals by prominent writers and popular public figures, to raise funds for the construction of his proposed new Maternity Hospital, which finally opened on 8th December, 1757.
After his death at the age of only 47, Dr. Mosse’s successors developed a variety of entertainment complexes on the site. The ‘Round Room’ or ‘Rotunda’ opened as a fundraising venue in 1767 and it proved so successful that an enlarged entertainment complex including the ‘Supper Room’ and the ‘Pillar Room’ was opened in 1787. The Rotunda Foundation is still raising funds through the hire of the ‘Pillar Room’ for conferences and events today.
OUR CHARITY
In 1967, approval was given by the Master, Dr. Edwin Lillie and the Hospital’s Board of Governors, to establish an official fundraising arm of the Rotunda Hospital.
The Rotunda Foundation (formerly know as Friends of the Rotunda) was then formed and incorporated as a Limited Company by Guarantee, without having a share capital, on the 23rd March 1973.
The Charity is regulated by a Memorandum & Articles of Association under the Companies Act of 1963 and is governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors to oversee the affairs of the Association and its Membership.
OUR VALUES
We believe that access to quality maternity and newborn service is a right and makes a vital contribution to the well-being of both individuals and communities.
THE VALUES THAT GUIDE US ARE:
- SUSTAINABILITY
- PROFESSIONALISM
- TRANSPARENCY
- EFFICIENCY
WE ENCOURAGE:
- PHILANTHROPY
- INNOVATION
- COMPASSION
- HARD WORK
GOVERNANCE
The Rotunda Foundation is governed by an elected Board of Members. Official Positions are appointed from within the Council’s Membership and its Directors assume the offices of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer on a voluntary basis.
The Rotunda Foundation endorses the Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charity Sector in Ireland. In compliance with the Charities Regulator, we promote a high standard in governance practice to achieve better outcomes for all its stakeholders.
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OUR BOARD AND TEAM
Prof John Sheehan
Director
Prof John Sheehan
Director
Dr Mary Holohan
Chairperson
Dr Mary Holohan
Chairperson
Brings a wealth of medical experience as a retired Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the Rotunda Hospital. Trained in obstetrics and gynaecology, achieving specialist certification in both Ireland and UK. Appointed consultant in 1995, she was the first female obstetrician on the Rotunda Hospital staff. Special interest in promotion of continence, epilepsy in pregnancy and post-dates pregnancy.
Marie Malone
Director
Marie Malone
Director
Brings a wealth of medical experience as a retired Nurse and Mother of four girls. In depth knowledge of the Rotunda Foundation’ history, activities and governance and an active board member. Specialist interest in the future development of the Charity, fundraising activity, social media engagement and its evolving role in support of the Rotunda Hospital.
Margaret Philbin
Director
Margaret Philbin
Director
Brings a wealth of medical experience as a retired Director of Midwifery and Nursing at the Rotunda Hospital. Specialist skills and expertise in gynaecological surgery, hysterectomy and endometriosis. In-depth knowledge of the Rotunda Hospital and its governance. Non-Board Member of the Fitness To Practise Committee a statutory committee of the Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), established under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011.
Dr Geraldine Connolly
Director
Dr Geraldine Connolly
Director
Brings a wealth of medical experience as a recently retired Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the Rotunda Hospital. Specialist interest in Rotunda development and links with community agencies, research projects, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology and teenage pregnancy. Established and developed the first of such service in Ireland, at both the Rotunda and CHI Temple Street Hospitals.
Mark Simpson
Director
Mark Simpson
Director
Brings a wealth of experience as a Senior Manager, Engagement and Internal Communication, Culture and Engagement, at the University College Dublin’s Human Resources Department and specialist skills to the Foundation Board, in strategy development, employee engagement and communications. His special area of interest is in marketing and fundraising campaigns.