Emotional adieus at the Adelaide as staff and patients leave for last time

Everyone wanted to shake her hand and say one last goodbye.

For some it was the final time they would work with Yvonne Seville, matron of the Adelaide. For all it was the last time they would walk together the corridors of the hospital at Peter Street, Dublin, which closed yesterday after almost 160 years.

"Nearly 4,000 patients would come through this ward every year. There was so much activity, so much good work, and now it's empty," said Ms Seville tearfully as she locked the doors of the vacated day ward on landing one. "It's extremely sad and upsetting to lose something we have worked so hard on for so long."

The last 30 patients were moved out to the nearby Meath Hospital, where they will be cared for until the final, long-awaited move to Tallaght on June 21st.

Describing what made the Adelaide special, the matron, who had worked there for 38 years, said: "We really cared about the patients as people and looked after their relatives and families as well. We also chose our nurses very carefully, not necessarily going for those with huge theoretical honours, but looking for pleasant personalities, so they were skilled and kind."

Ms Seville was among 480 nursing, clinical and administrative staff who officially finished work in the building yesterday. She is moving on to become assistant director of nursing at Tallaght, unlike many for whom yesterday was also retirement day.

Like medical photographer Arthur Ogilvie (77), from Fairview, who began working with the Adelaide in 1943.

"My first memory of the hospital was when I was three and my father brought me here when my mother was a patient. I remember the two flights of stairs and the grandfather clock at the top. I was fascinated by the place. There's a lovely, homely atmosphere that you couldn't find anywhere else."

Although he has agreed to help with the move to Tallaght of the photography lab he helped to set up, he couldn't see himself working there.

"It will be a different ball game. You're so isolated out there and it's so spread out you couldn't possibly get the same atmosphere. I enjoyed my life here. I want to be able to remember the good times."

The last Protestant hospital in the State, the Adelaide was established in 1839, and 130 years ago became the first in Dublin to introduce a gynaecological unit. Its celebrated nursing school was founded in 1859 by Miss Bramwell, who had worked with Florence Nightingale.

As the clear-out continued yesterday, ambulances and removal vans competed for space outside the doors. Patients were led out amid beds, bags of linen and boxes full of Barbara Cartland novels.

One of the last patients to leave was Mr Jim Walker, from Old Bawn, Tallaght, who paid tribute to the staff: "From top to bottom, they care."

His words were echoed by wardmate Ronnie Nolan, from Newbrige, Co Kildare. "We're all a bit apprehensive going. It's sad to see the place closing down, especially for the staff. I just hope the next place has a telly or we'll be back tonight," he joked.

No one was more emotional, however, than the matron. "It's like a family splitting up," said Ms Seville, full of nervous anticipation of the final move to Tallaght.

"There's no comparison. The new hospital is a beautiful building, but until we get there and get the patients and medical people in, it won't have a heart. I just hope it has as good a heart as here."