My dear daddy your fond son

A wonderful new illustrated history of Temple Street Children’s Hospital, written by Barry Kennerk, with the foreword by Cecelia Ahern, features the Brady family from Termon, Virginia.

The book takes a unique look past the hall door to reveal how a building, which started life as a private residence, has become a world class hospital. Founded in 1872, Temple Street is now one of Ireland’s best recognised hospitals.
A chapter in the book is devoted to former children’s memories of their time in the hospital and included is a moving contribution from the Brady family, which recounts the life and untimely death of their beloved nine-year-old brother, Philip Joseph in November 1946, leaving his family members devastated.
Mrs Mary O’Hara (nee Brady) and Patrick Brady from Termon attended the recent celebratory event to mark the 150th anniversary of the foundation of Temple Street Children’s hospital in Dublin.

A family tragedy
The book features a copy of a touching letter that Philip Joseph Brady posted home on the 23rd April, 1946 and an inset picture of Philip, photographed with his sisters prior to his death in 1946.
In the letter written to his father, in the words “My Dear Daddy”, he says he is well and the ice cream is keeping lovely, but the oranges are getting a bit scarce. Another line fondly says “tell mammy and the children, I was asking for them”. He also mentions about going home from the hospital.
He signs off with the words, “your fond son PJ”.
Philip Joseph Brady from Termon was admitted to Temple Street Hospital in 1945 with an abdominal tumour. Despite his illness, he had a keen intellect and between times was able to keep up at school. Like most children, he loved ice cream and toffee. The book also features a moving interview with his older sister Mary.