RCSI Heritage Collections

Detail of wax seal from RCSI 1784 Charter with George III depicted on horseback RCSI was founded in 1784 by a royal charter being granted by King George III. The recently conserved charter can be seen here with it's large wax seal intact. These wax seals were very important as they authenticated the document they were attached to. A seal was a device which made an impression in wax, clay, paper. The seal with a unique and specific design was pressed into the wax, clay or embossed on to paper by the author 'sealing' their name, rank, power, honour to the document. Most seals have always given a single impression on an essentially flat surface. But in medieval Europe two-sided seals with two matrices were often used by institutions or rulers (eg. towns, bishops, aristocracy, royalty) to make two-sided or fully three dimensional impressions in wax, with a 'tag' (a piece of ribbon running through them attaching them to the document). These 'pendant' sea...

Photograph of Queen Victoria portrait slashed by rebels in 1916. During Heritage Week the College had large numbers of people walk through it's buildings hearing of the history contained within. A photograph featured in the Heritage Collections display caught the attention of Michael Parsons, author of the Fine Arts and Antiques column in the Irish Times. The photograph in question showed a life-size portrait of Queen Victoria after it had been slashed by the rebels to make puttees. The reason it caught Michael's eye was because a piece of this portrait was up for auction in Whyte's auctioneers on Saturday 14th September http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/fine-art-antiques/who-knifed-queen-victoria-s-portrait-in-dublin-in-1916-1.1518465 Countess Markievicz, Commander Mallin and over one hundred men, women and children took control of the College during the rising in Easter Week of 1916. One of these women was Margaret Skinnider a native of...

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...