Since our foundation in 1654, we have been collecting material relating to the history of the College and the history of medicine in Ireland.
Our unique archive contains over 10,000 items relating to the history of medicine in Ireland and includes intriguing items such as minute books, correspondence, photographs, administrative records and papers of individual physicians.
Between 2010 and 2012 we completed a Wellcome Trust funded project to electronically catalogue our entire archive.
The full online archive catalogue is now available and is updated every time we receive a new donation.
What’s in the Archive?
Our archive contains material from two main sources:
The records of RCPI from 1667 to the present, including minute books, correspondence, administrative records and College registers
Records created by others and donated to us for safe-keeping. These include papers of individual physicians, hospitals, medical and professional organisations, the papers of Irish medical historians, and papers relating to the social history of medicine and medical businesses.
As well as searching the archive catalogue for details of the items we hold, you can also find out more information about the 28 collections in the archive below.
Papers of the Apothecaries' Hall of Ireland and the Guild of Apothecaries of St. Luke. Collection contains minute books and papers relating to the examinations held by the Hall for apothecaries and medical practitioners, as well as a small collection of financial and administrative papers. The collection also contains papers of the Apothecaries Benevolent Fund for Ireland.
Papers of the Dublin Branch of the British Medical Association from its foundation in 1877. Includes administrative, financial and membership papers, also material relating to the 1933 visit of the British Medical Association to Dublin and the 1952 Doctors’ hobbies exhibition.
Papers of Leonard Colebrook (1883-1967) and Sir Almroth Wright (1861-1947). Including papers relating to Wright's writing on women, correspondence between the two men, and papers relating to biographies of both Wright and Colebrook.
Papers of the Dublin Biological Club founded in 1872, including minute books, attendance books, members roll and a collection of glass lantern slides of early club members.
Papers of the Dublin Clinical Hospitals Standing Committee collected by their long serving secretary Richard Atkinson Hayes. Papers cover the period 1877 to 1932.
Small collection of papers relating to the Dublin Sanitary Association, covering the period 1883-1912, including minute books, a letter book and newspaper cuttings.
Small collection of papers of Edward Hill (1741-1830) including letters, invitation cards, notebooks and documents relating to the School of Physic Act (1800), also three sketches of Hill.
Papers of Dr John Fleetwood (1917-2007) covering his career as a GP, palliative care physician and gerontologist. Also His research and published papers on the history of medicine, as well as other papers relating to his literary and radio works.
Papers of Francis Joseph O'Meara, covering his time in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the Second World War as well as a small number of personal and family papers, and some family photographs.
Memoirs, or minutes, of the Medico-Philosophical Society from its foundation in 1754 to 1784. Also the minute book and members album dating from the re-formation of the Society in 1854.
Papers of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, mainly the minute books of the general council and the various academy sections. The collection also includes printed reports and papers, as well as papers relating to academy membership and some memorabilia.
Papers relating to the Royal National Hospital for Consumption for Ireland (1896-1963) at Newcastle, County Wicklow. Collection contains the administrative and financial papers of the hospital, a complete set of patient registers, newspaper cuttings relating to the history of the hospital and tuberculosis, and some architectural plans and papers.
Papers of Sir Andrew John Horne (1856-1924) mainly relating to his time as President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (1909-1910), his membership of The Phagocytes and his receipt of a knighthood in 1913.
Papers of Dr Kirkpatrick (1869-1954) covering his medical career and research into the history of medicine. As well as personal papers, correspondence and a small collection of papers relating to his father Dr John Rutherford Kirkpatrick (c.1832-1889). With Dr Kirkpatirck’s personal collection of manuscripts relating to the history of medicine in Ireland.
Papers of the Westmoreland Lock Hospital from its foundation in 1792 to the early twentieth century. Collection contains administrative, financial and patient records, as well as some records of the chaplaincy.
Harriet is Keeper of Collection and manages the RCPI Heritage Centre. Contact Harriet with any questions about the Heritage Centre, its collection and to make an appointment to visit.
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