Heritage Week has just come to an end in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The College opened it's doors to the public on Tuesday 20th August with guided tours twice a day finishing late yesterday afternoon. Frank Donegan, Head Porter of the College, gave these guided tours which lasted up to one and half hours. The tours which originally were to accommodate 30 people took at least 60 each time as the demand was so great. Frank talked about the history of the College and it's unique place in the development of medicine in Ireland and Europe. But he also talked of the buildings and the numerous historic events they have been witness to, especially 123 Stephens Green.
A small taster of the unique material the Heritage Collections holds was put out on display in the Board Room during Heritage Week. Here are some of the pieces featured.
This first item belonged to none other than Abraham Colles, a medical man much revered and respected by his peers. Colles was President of the College in 1802 and 1830. His name is given to the Colles fracture which affects the wrist. Below is Colles' indenture dated 15th September 1790 addressed and signed by Phillip Woodroffe, a surgeon and lecturer in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland at the time. Students had to apprentice to a surgeon to qualify for attendance of the college.
William Hargrave was President of the College in 1853. He was born in cork where he was educated at Mr. Adair's School in Fermoy. At the age of 14 he came up to Dublin and entered Trinity College under the Rev. Daniel Mooney. In 1813 he was indentured to Sir Philip Crampton and began his studies in the RCSI. This memorandum book details Hargrave's move from Cork to Dublin at that tender age of 14. His first entry reads
I left the Rev.d Doctor Adair's school on Friday 25th October 1811, to enter College which I entered on Monday 4th November 1811 under Doctor Mooney.
He also listed all the items of clothing he decide to bring on his move to Dublin. These included
13 shirts
14 cravats
7 pocket hand ker[chiefs]
6 pairs of stockings
5 vests
Thomas Heazle Parke (FRCSI 1890) was an Irish doctor who went on the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition from 1887-1889 with Henry Morton Stanley. The expedition was sent to relieve General Charles Gordon's besieged governor of Equatoria, Emin Pasha, from Mahdist forces. It saw the explorers face numerous diseases, foes and uncertainties in the Congo. Stanley would have certainly died if it wasn't for Parke's medical skills. Parke became known as the 'man who saved Stanley'. During the expedition Parke was presented with this ivory handled dagger and bracelets by a native pygmy girl.
123 Stephens Green was a battleground in the Easter Rising of 1916. Countess Markievicz and Michael Mallin took control of the College after fleeing from their positions in Stephens Green. After the rebels surrender to the British forces a number of photographs were taken of inside the College. The first shows the portrait of Queen Victoria that hung in the Board Room after it was slashed by the rebels. Legend has it that some young volunteers cut it up into strips to use as bandages. But when word reached Mallin the youngsters were berated as he has given strict orders that no reckless damage be done to the College.
The photograph on the right shows the College Hall after the surrender. This room has no windows looking into it from and with it's dark wood paneling it made the perfect sleeping quarters for the volunteers.
With the current cataloging initiative in full swing even more fascinating material will be available for next years Heritage Week. Who knows the cast of Dean Jonathon Swift's skull might even get out to say hello!
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy
A small taster of the unique material the Heritage Collections holds was put out on display in the Board Room during Heritage Week. Here are some of the pieces featured.
This first item belonged to none other than Abraham Colles, a medical man much revered and respected by his peers. Colles was President of the College in 1802 and 1830. His name is given to the Colles fracture which affects the wrist. Below is Colles' indenture dated 15th September 1790 addressed and signed by Phillip Woodroffe, a surgeon and lecturer in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland at the time. Students had to apprentice to a surgeon to qualify for attendance of the college.
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| Abraham Colles indenture 1790 |
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| William Hargrave Memorandum Book 1811 |
I left the Rev.d Doctor Adair's school on Friday 25th October 1811, to enter College which I entered on Monday 4th November 1811 under Doctor Mooney.
He also listed all the items of clothing he decide to bring on his move to Dublin. These included
13 shirts
14 cravats
7 pocket hand ker[chiefs]
6 pairs of stockings
5 vests
Thomas Heazle Parke (FRCSI 1890) was an Irish doctor who went on the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition from 1887-1889 with Henry Morton Stanley. The expedition was sent to relieve General Charles Gordon's besieged governor of Equatoria, Emin Pasha, from Mahdist forces. It saw the explorers face numerous diseases, foes and uncertainties in the Congo. Stanley would have certainly died if it wasn't for Parke's medical skills. Parke became known as the 'man who saved Stanley'. During the expedition Parke was presented with this ivory handled dagger and bracelets by a native pygmy girl.
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| Thomas Parke ivory handled dagger and bracelets (1887-1889) |
123 Stephens Green was a battleground in the Easter Rising of 1916. Countess Markievicz and Michael Mallin took control of the College after fleeing from their positions in Stephens Green. After the rebels surrender to the British forces a number of photographs were taken of inside the College. The first shows the portrait of Queen Victoria that hung in the Board Room after it was slashed by the rebels. Legend has it that some young volunteers cut it up into strips to use as bandages. But when word reached Mallin the youngsters were berated as he has given strict orders that no reckless damage be done to the College.
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| College Hall after rebels surrendered in 1916 |
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| Photograph of Queen Victoria portrait slashed by rebels in 1916. |
The photograph on the right shows the College Hall after the surrender. This room has no windows looking into it from and with it's dark wood paneling it made the perfect sleeping quarters for the volunteers.
With the current cataloging initiative in full swing even more fascinating material will be available for next years Heritage Week. Who knows the cast of Dean Jonathon Swift's skull might even get out to say hello!
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy