The Life and Legacy of Jonathan Swift with Professor Jim Lucey

"The best doctors in the land are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet and Doctor Merry-man" - Jonathan Swift. Professor Jim Lucey of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) delves into the incredible footprint of our founder, Jonathan Swift, not only on the written word, but on mental healthcare in Ireland. Renowned around the world as a satirist, Dean of ‪@SaintPatricksCathedralDublin‬ and, of course, author of 'Gulliver's Travels' and more, Swift’s generosity and forward-thinking vision of a "home for fools and mad" also left a lasting impact on mental healthcare in Ireland. A former governor of the infamous Bedlam asylum in London, he understood that people experiencing mental health difficulties required a specialist service to provide care, treatment and a voice, leaving £12,000 for this in his will. One year after his death, in 1746, St Patrick’s Hospital was founded – not only the first mental health hospital to be built in Ireland, but one of the very first in the world. Professor Lucey explores this fascinating history, SPMHS' unique ties to our founder, and Swift’s continuing legacy in empowering the people of #Ireland to live mentally healthy lives. This presentation was recorded as part of Culture Night 2020. For more information on SPMHS and our links to Jonathan Swift, please visit: www.stpatricks.ie/about-us/history-and-archives #jonathanswift #swift #gulliverstravels #dublin #mentalhealth