January 29, 2020: Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is today unveiling the new home for the TUH ‘Point Depot Bears’ sculpture. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms Katherine Zappone, TD will officiate at the ceremony. Previously located outside the 3Arena (formally known as the Point Depot) in Dublin’s docklands, the bronze sculptures by artist Patrick O’Reilly were donated to the State by the Crosbie family. The Office of Public Works sought a new home for the sculptures and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone TD choose the TUH Campus.
Minister Zappone said: “When the ‘Three Bears’ were donated to the State I wanted to position them in a location accessed by children and their families. The Bears now located in the Tallaght University Hospital campus will become a well-known landmark when entering or leaving TUH. They will no doubt provide enjoyment for all hospital visitors and staff, but will also be a wonderful sight for children attending the new Children’s Urgent Care Centre.”
On the new arrivals to the Campus Chief Executive of TUH Lucy Nugent said: “On behalf of TUH we are delighted to welcome the Bears to their new home here in Tallaght. I would like to thank the three hospital foundations – TUHF, the Meath Foundation and Adelaide Health Foundation – for their support for the installation. They have provided funding to create a colourful wild meadow garden around the ‘Point Depot Bears’ that will encourage biodiversity as it grows and develop into a natural pathway for them to stride purposefully along, towards the Hospital.”
The location on campus for the 8ft high sculptures was chosen for a number of reasons:
- A bold statement artistically and in the context of other art installations on campus;
- Presented in the best natural light – enabling them to breathe in their own space;
- Will be seen whether entering the Hospital by foot or car;
- Visible from inpatient rooms on multiple floors, the Age Related Unit, new Paediatric Urgent Care Centre (under construction);
- Visible from other buildings surrounding the TUH campus;
- The addition of a wild flower meadow will provide a new biodiversity habitat in the area.
The ‘Point Depot Bears’ are created by Irish artist Patrick O’Reilly. He is known for his bronze work and installations that are monumental in scale and extremely ambitious. His references to the animal kingdom, such as the bears, are to express his fears and sentiments about life.
About Tallaght University Hospital
TUH is one of Ireland’s largest acute teaching hospitals, adult, psychiatric and age-related healthcare on one site. The Hospital has 495 adult beds with 3,000 people on staff. The Hospital is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a national urology centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country and a regional orthopaedic trauma centre. The Hospital also has 67 paediatric beds under the governance of Children’s Health Ireland and 52 mental health beds under HSE governance.
TUH is one of the two main teaching hospitals of Trinity College Dublin - specialising in the training and professional development of staff in areas such as nursing, health and social care professionals, emergency medicine and surgery, amongst many others. TUH is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties.
A new satellite centre is to be built at TUH as part of the National Children’s Hospital project as a key element of an integrated clinical network for paediatric services nationally. The Hospital’s Emergency Department catered for 52,553 Attendances in 2019. A further 255,200 patients were treated through the Hospital’s Adult outpatient clinics in 2019. The Hospital’s operations are supported by 200 general practitioners in surrounding communities and aligned with CHO7.
TUHF
Tallaght University Hospital Foundation is committed to investing in TUH and promoting quality care and wellness throughout the community. If you would like to support the work of the Foundation please go to www.tuhf.ie or contact Kelly Crowley, Head of Development for TUHF on kcrowely@tuhf.ie
