 The Barrington family lived at Glenstal Castle and built Barrington's Hospital for the citizens of Limerick.In 1853, Lane Joynt, as president of the Limerick Literary and Scientific Society, proposed the establishment of a Limerick Athenaeum in a letter written to the society's committee.The letter was entitled "Suggestions For The Establishment Of A Limerick Athenaeum", and its embodying suggestions were adopted unanimously.