History of the College
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is the oldest surviving medical institution in the country. It was founded in 1654 as a “Fraternity of Physicians” by John Stearne, a Professor at Trinity College Dublin and Oxford University, in response to his recognition of the need for an improvement in the medical services available to the people of Ireland. Stearne’s foundation was closely modelled on the Royal College of Physicians of London and was, initially, an ancillary of The University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin).
Royal Charters were obtained in 1667, from King Charles II, and in 1692, from King William III and Queen Mary II. The College was granted the power to examine and license doctors as being fit to practice. The 1692 Charter, which is still in force today, established the College’s independence, severing the link with Trinity College Dublin.
The next 150 years of the College was a period of rapid growth and advancement in medicine. The College established itself as the regulator of medical teaching on the island and contributed towards the care of the sick on the island.
No.6 Kildare Street - a new home
In 1864, After numerous changes of location, the College moved to its current home at No.6 Kildare Street. The premises of the Kildare Street Club were purchased by the College in 1860 and, shortly afterwards, were destroyed by fire. The College had a new building built to their own design which was opened in 1864. The upper front room, stretching the full length of the building, was designed as the College library and has remained so ever since.
The History of the Dun’s Library of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
In 2005 the No.6 Kildare Street was restored, renovated, refurbished – by far the most extensive renovation of the College since the 1860’s. The building is now fully equipped with modern conference, meeting and communication facilities. The College's administrative office and the Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education are now located in Frederick House, 19 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2.
Publications
The College has two publications on the topic of it's history available for sale.
- A History of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland 1654-1963,
by Dr J D H Widdess - €60.00
- An Interim History of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland 1963-1988 - €10.00
For more information on these books and other College publications, please contact college@rcpi.ie
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