[4] Many of them lived in miserable conditions and had to compete with able-bodied beggars whose numbers grew considerably when rural workers migrated to the city during periods of crop failure.

In 1699, Doctor Thomas Molyneaux approached Dublin Corporation with a proposal to build a hospital, using the sum of £2,000 which had been gifted by an anonymous donor for that purpose.

His proposal ultimately failed however, but may have motivated Richard Steevens, who succeeded Molyneux as president of the College in 1703, to bequeath his estate to found a hospital.

[5] Steevens had studied medicine, spent some time in Leiden, and upon returning to Dublin had established a very successful medical practice, accumulating great wealth in the process.

[11] A fortnight later, the trustees met for the first time and agreed to purchase about three and a half acres of land lying at the end of James's Street for £600.

However, they did not obtain Temple's formal agreement to this arrangement and when the lease expired, the governors of the hospital found themselves involved in an expensive legal action.

[16] The trustees also successfully petitioned Dublin Corporation for permission to establish a ferry across the river at the end of the lane, which remained a steady source of income for the hospital throughout the eighteenth century.

[16] Steevens was often to be seen walking the grounds closely veiled, which led to speculation among the local Dublin populace, that she had a face like the snout of a pig, and that for the shame she would not let it be seen.

This unpleasant appearance was said to be the result of a curse consequent to a petulant and unfeeling remark made by Steevens' mother when pestered by the importunities of a beggar woman, with a baby at her breast, and a tribe of children at her heels.

The hospital built a specially designed room to house the Edward Worth Library, where it remains to this day under updated protective conditions.

[21] The bookshelves, panelling, wainscotting and Corinthian columns in the library were constructed by the carpenter Hugh Wilson while the glazing was carried out by Francis Godfrey.