The College functioned first in humble premises near Mercer's Hospital (the present Mercer Library), moving in 1810 to a new building facing Stephen's Green. On the upper floor, Sir Charles Cameron tells us there was
A large room.....with windows opening upon the Green, [which] was devoted to the meetings of the College and their committees.
The Board Room then extended the entire width of the upper storey and its original dimensions were not added to by the major expansion of the building initiated in 1825.
It provided ample space for important occasions on which the President, Vice-President, Censors and Members convened to deal with College business. A carpet which cost £48.5s.3d was purchased; a large and impressive chair was provided for the President; armchairs were available for lesser dignitaries, while the members (all of whom were free to attend) sat on plain seats.
The supplemental charter (1844) introduced a College Council, a smaller body, as the ruling authority. This met in the smaller Council Room, leaving the original meeting room free for a variety of purposes, academic, social and sometimes political. A special meeting of the Council was convened in the College on 11 May 1882 to condemn the murders in the Phoenix Park of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr. T.H. Burke. At a controversial meeting in the Board Room in 1885 it was agreed to open the Medical School to women.
The re-decoration of the Board Room was completed in 1984 to mark the bi-centenary. The ceilings' fine plaster work reflects the specially-woven carpet; the curtains and portraits of College worthies add an impressive elegance not in any way at odds with the RCSI's pursuit of high academic standards.
- written by the late J.B. Lyons
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy
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| RCSI in 1810 |
A large room.....with windows opening upon the Green, [which] was devoted to the meetings of the College and their committees.
The Board Room then extended the entire width of the upper storey and its original dimensions were not added to by the major expansion of the building initiated in 1825.
It provided ample space for important occasions on which the President, Vice-President, Censors and Members convened to deal with College business. A carpet which cost £48.5s.3d was purchased; a large and impressive chair was provided for the President; armchairs were available for lesser dignitaries, while the members (all of whom were free to attend) sat on plain seats.
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| RCSI Board Room before 1916 |
The re-decoration of the Board Room was completed in 1984 to mark the bi-centenary. The ceilings' fine plaster work reflects the specially-woven carpet; the curtains and portraits of College worthies add an impressive elegance not in any way at odds with the RCSI's pursuit of high academic standards.
- written by the late J.B. Lyons
 |
| RCSI Board Room today |
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy