RCSI Heritage Collections

In these dark, damp and deeply cold evenings it is nice to gaze at a beautifully crafted stained glass window with its magnificent array of colours. And what better way to to do so then while keeping warm indoors! The RCSI is very fortunate to have a number of stained glass windows in it's historic building on Stephens Green. Two of which come from the internationally revered and highly sought after Harry Clarke Studios. Harry Clarke took over his father's stained glass studios in Dublin in 1921 and soon became synonymous with unique and exceptionally crafted stained glass. Despite his untimely death in January 1931, the Harry Clarke Studios continued to produce stunning pieces of art for all over the world. In 1930 Terence Clarke, a nephew of Harry, entered the family studios as an apprentice quickly learning and honing his skill as a stained glass artist.     Detail of 'Mother and Child' stained glass panel in the RCSI Chapel of Meditation  Terence Cla...

From Vol. I of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918 The manuscript note above is written on the first page of the Heritage Collections Vol. I of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918 . A bold statement considering it is written on a book containing the names of numerous fallen soldiers of the First World War. The Heritage Collections holds a full set, consisting of 8 volumes, of these memorial records. One of the few that still exists today. A number of volumes recently under went conservation work and have now been fully restored. These volumes record and preserve over 49,000 names of Irishmen who lost their lives fighting in World War I. Foreword from Vol. I of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918   The Committee of the Irish National War Memorial compiled and published these volumes in 1923. Each volume is richly illustrated by the delicate brush of Irish artist Harry Clarke. Clarke's stained glass and illustrations were always tinged with sorrow....