Leper hospitals in medieval Ireland

The first general and accessible work on the subject, this book consists inter alia of an introduction giving a short history of leprosy within the contemporary understanding of the term; leprosy in Ireland; leprosy and its patron saints; leper houses and placenames; the lazar-house in literature; leprosy in art; and St. Lazarus in art.

Central to the book are annotated lists of leper houses in medieval Ireland under the heading of province, county and parish with a short history of the hospitals where it is available from records or other written sources. A brief account of the order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem is included. This was one of the most important orders of chivalry in medieval Europe and, as a hospitaller order it administered leper hospitals in the Holy Land and in Europe. It continues to work in this field.