The late J.D.H Widdess, Librarian and Professor of Biology, knew more about the College than any other person. His account of the Arms of the College explains how suitable armorial bearings were devised and used from 1784 until 1907 when it was realised that formal authority to use a coat of arms had never been obtained.
An application was made immediately to the Ulster King of Arms, the heraldic authority in Ireland, who had his office in Dublin Castle. A grant of arms was given on 20th March 1907 consisting of a shield, crest and supporters. Its official description in the language of heraldry is quite a mouthful:
'Argent on a Saltire gules, a dexter hand apaumée fessewise, couped at the wrist proper, on a Chief
ermine harp crowned between two fleams or; for CREST on a wreath of the Colours an Eagle
preying on a serpent proper; for SUPPORTERS two Irish elks each gorged with a Chaplet of
Shamrock all proper; and for MOTTO Consilio Manuque'.
Fortunately Widdess also supplied a simpler analysis;
'The Crest is now and eagle, preying on a serpent, which was an emblem of disease. The
supporters are Irish elk, with chaplets of shamrock around their necks. Over the helmet is
conventional drapery, called the Mantling, and derives from a head-covering worn by knights in
armour for protection against the sun's heat'.
The shield is decorated with two fleams of lancets, a satire cross, a hand and a crowned harp; the latter was taken from Arms granted in 1645 to the Dublin Guild of Barber-Surgeons. The motto Consilio Manuque denotes the wisdom and manual skill required of a surgeon.
- written by the late J.B.Lyons