The exhibition formed part of Heritage Week 2008 and tours of the College building No.6 Kildare Street were available from 12pm to 8pm.

Visitors to this one day exhibition had a unique opportunity to see Ireland's distinguished medical heritage displayed within the architectural splendour of the College's magnificent home at No.6 Kildare Street. The collection followed the history of the College and of Irish physicians and included portraits, silverware, medical artefacts, instruments and the impressive Dun’s medical library.

For many visitors the highlight of the collection was the College’s extraordinary silver academic mace, commissioned in 1853 and described at that time as the most elaborate in Britain and Ireland. The mace accompanies the President of the College at all academic events and symbolises the power of the President and the independence of the institution. Made of native silver the mace has ornate detailing which includes representations of Hippocrates, Avicenna and Harvey and bears the noble inscription ‘From the highest cometh healing’. The mace was designed by the distinguished artist, Sir Frederick William Burton. 

Visitors finished their tour in the Dun’s Library, so named after the original donor, the renowned physician Sir Patrick Dun. The library dates from 1713 and contains some 30,000 volumes, which include early printed editions of the works of the founding fathers of modern medicine.

Founded in 1654, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is the oldest surviving medical institution and its building on Kildare Street is one of Dublin’s great secrets. For the first time in the College’s history members of the public were able to view its treasures and unlock its secrets.

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RTÉ News coverage of the event