On the ground at the proposed site of the Mid-West's new hospital

This site will be one of Ireland's largest hospital sites; slightly bigger than University Hospital Limerick and comparable to large hospitals in Cork or Galway

(Left to right) Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Lord Mayor of Limerick John Moran and HSE CEO Bernard Gloster at the announcement of the acquisition by the HSE of 43 acres of land at Raheen, Limerick. Picture: Don Moloney

At first glance, it is hard to picture that peaceful green fields outside Limerick could soon become a construction site and eventually a new hospital which hopefully will finally help address the Mid-West's chronic overcrowding.

Barbed wire and stone walls still run around the farm fields. They are flanked by a quiet lane with several large houses and on the far side by links to busy roads, including the 2km distance to University Hospital Limerick.