The Heritage Centre at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) is delighted to once again take part in the Heritage Council’s National Heritage Week, Ireland’s largest celebration of heritage.
This year, RCPI will open the doors of its historic home at No. 6 Kildare Street on Monday 17, Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19 and Friday 21 August with a programme of events exploring Ireland’s medical history through guided tours, exhibitions, conservation and talks.
Guided tours of No. 6 Kildare Street
Our popular guided tours will return for Heritage Week, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the beautiful rooms of No. 6 Kildare Street and discover the fascinating history of RCPI and the people who have passed through its doors over the centuries. Visitors will be taken on a journey through Ireland’s medical history, exploring the College’s collections through art, objects and stories while learning more about the historic building itself and the work of the Heritage Centre.
Tours will take place at 11am and 2pm each day. The tours are free to attend but booking is required as spaces are limited.
Book your place for a guided tour.
Hard Hats and Vaccines: Fifty Years of the Faculties of Occupational Medicine and Public Health Medicine
Visitors will also have the opportunity to see our recently launched exhibition, Hard Hats and Vaccines: Fifty Years of the Faculties of Occupational Medicine and Public Health Medicine. As 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of both faculties, the exhibition brings together a selection of key objects, archives and books that tell the story of these two important medical specialties. The exhibition explores the founding text of occupational medicine, Edward Jenner’s smallpox legacy in Dublin and the work of doctors who treated employees of some of Ireland’s largest companies including Guinness, CIÉ and Aer Lingus.
The exhibition is free to attend with no booking required.
The House of Read and Read’s Collection
We are also delighted to present a special pop-up exhibition showcasing our current project, Conserving the Read’s Collection, which has been kindly supported by the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2026. The collection comprises around 800 objects donated to RCPI from the original House of Read building at 4 Parliament Street. The pop-up exhibition will offer visitors a glimpse into this fascinating collection, including examples of the excellent craftsmanship found in its cutlery and luxury goods, as well as a selection of medical instruments.
The exhibition provides an insight into both the history of the House of Read and the ongoing work involved in caring for and conserving RCPI’s collections.
It will be open 10am to 4pm on Monday 17, Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19 and Friday 21 August. No booking is required and admission is free.
We are also excited to collaborate with Clem Kenny of the House of Read and author and historian Michael Branagan for an evening discussion exploring Dublin’s oldest merchant store, the Read family and the history of trade. The discussion will explore the Read family’s fascinating history, from brewing ale and sheep farming in Kildare to running Dublin’s oldest cutlery shop and supplying cutlery, swords, corkscrews and medical instruments. It will also look at the family’s connections to figures including Arthur Guinness and the history of the House of Read building at 4 Parliament Street.
The event takes place on Tuesday 18 August at 7:00pm at the House of Read, No. 4 Parliament Street. It is currently sold out but you can join the waitlist.
Heritage Week gives us an opportunity to share the unique history, stories and collections that make No. 6 Kildare Street such a special place. Welcoming visitors and sharing our collections also helps us look towards the future RCPI Medical Museum.
Heritage Week is one of our busiest periods and we look forward to welcoming visitors to our home.
View the full Heritage Week 2026 programme