The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Annual Conference 2026 will take place this October. Registration is now open to be part of this essential annual event.
Secretary General of the Department of Health Derek Tierney, dean of medicine at New York’s Cornell University Dr Robert A. Harrington, and Canadian leader in health needs of older women Dr Paula Rochon are among the speakers at this year’s conference, themed: Shaping a Healthier Future.
Held at No. 6 Kildare Street from 20-22 October, the conference’s programme explores the big stories framing the health landscape. As official associated event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, many of the conference themes align with the broader EU Presidency agenda, including prevention in health, women’s health, and health system resilience and innovation.
PUBLIC MEETING
Living Well:
A Public Conversation on Health, Wellbeing and Obesity
20 October 2026 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm | Register Here
The conference commences with our Annual Public Meeting - a free, public event. 'Living Well: A Public Conversation of Health, Wellbeing and Obesity' is an opportunity to hear from experts about the most up-to-date ways to stay healthy and well and to manage obesity. It will be chaired by Sunday Times journalist Alison O’Connor and features insights from Prof Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Orla Walsh, one of Ireland’s leading dieticians, Dr Ximena Ramos Salas, a public health researcher dedicated to preventing weight bias and obesity stigma, and Susie Birney, an obesity patient advocate. In a fractured social media environment, this public meeting is designed to cut through misinformation, bringing trusted experts directly to you with clear, evidence-based information.
HERITAGE DAY
Medicine, Art, and Society in Georgian Dublin
21 October 2026 | 9.30 am - 13:00 pm | Register Here
This year’s Heritage Day celebrates the 100th anniversary of the donation of the Quin Tassie Collection to RCPI by a descendant of Past President Dr Henry Quin (1718–1791). Conserved last year with support from the Heritage Council, this unique collection sits at the intersection of medicine, science, and art and provides a fascinating insight into Georgian Dublin.The collection consists of 26 drawers of miniature gem casts and moulds created by the Scottish engraver James Tassie (1735-1799) and Quin, his mentor.
Join our expert speakers as they explore the world of medicine in eighteenth-century Dublin, from the contribution of physicians to civic and cultural life, to the relationship between Dr Henry Quin and the renowned Scottish sculptor James Tassie. We will share new investigations exploring Quin and Tassie's collaboration to reproduce gems and create imitations, and examine Dr John Gilborne’s The Medical Review, offering a unique perspective on the medical and social landscape of the period. There will also be a performance by the Irish Baroque Orchestra Young Artists.
ST. LUKE'S SYMPOSIUM
Innovation, Prevention and Policy: Shaping Tomorrow's Health
22 October 2026 | 9:00 am - 4:30 pm | Register Here
Our flagship St Luke’s Symposium brings together national and international leaders at the forefront of clinical advancement, healthcare education, and global health. Essential for doctors at all career stages, this conference is an opportunity to engage with the ideas and innovations shaping the future of medicine, connect with colleagues and peers, and contribute to the conversations shaping the future of healthcare. This is an associated event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Our programme includes Irish health service leaders; Derek Tierney, Secretary General of Department at Health, Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, and Prof Ellen Crushell, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, International perspectives from Dr Robert A. Harrington, a cardiologist and dean of medicine at Cornell University New York, and Dr Paula Rochon, Director of women’s health research at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto.
Current shifts in the Irish landscape will be magnified and explored, as we consider evolving opportunities in training and education, unpack the findings from a new national survey examining how we sustain a medical workforce that thrives, and share insights and experiences on the use of AI in Healthcare. We will also hear perspectives from the regional health areas, with contributions from regional clinical directors and regional executive officers. Putting a spotlight on prevention in health, our speakers will discuss the social determinants of health, population-level physical inactivity, and reducing tobacco and alcohol harms. The ever-popular quick-fire Clinical Pearls session returns this year with thought-provoking and informative presentations from a range of specialties.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the impact of prevention, policy, and commercial and social determinants on population health
- Examine emerging trends in healthcare delivery, medical training, digital health, and artificial intelligence
- Apply clinical, leadership, policy, and public engagement insights to support better patient care and health outcomes
- Recognise the importance of leadership, physician wellbeing, and career development in medicine
- Describe the historical, cultural and societal context of medicine in Ireland
- Discuss the role of heritage, art, and culture in shaping our understanding of medical history
- Discuss obesity and wellbeing in a public health context, including practical approaches to supporting healthier lives
For the full view of the week's activities, visit our Annual Conference website.