Heritage Week 2026 at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland

The Heritage Centre at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) is delighted to officially launch its programme for the Heritage Council's National Heritage Week 2026. We are happy to host five different events throughout the week, with something for everyone to enjoy. We will be takin part in Heritage Week on Monday 17, Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19 and Friday 21 August, from 10am to 4pm each day. Please note that we will not be open on Thursday 20 August. 

We will once again be offering guided tours of our historic home at No. 6, with two tours taking place each day. We will take you on a journey through the beautiful rooms of RCPI, indulging in the history of the College and the people who have passed through the doors over the centuries. You will explore Ireland's medical history through art, objects, and stories. 

The tours are free to attend, but booking is required. Spaces are limited. You can book your place here. 

You will have the chance to see our recently launched exhibition Hard Hats and Vaccines: Fifty years of the Faculties of Occupational Medicine and Public Health Medicine. As 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of both Faculties, we have selected a number of key objects, archives and books that tell the story of these specialties. You will be able to see the founding text of occupational medicine, as well as Edward Jenner’s smallpox legacy in Dublin. You will learn about the doctors treating the employees of some of Ireland’s biggest companies like Guinness, CIÉ and Aer Lingus, as well as the vaccination equipment used to mass-vaccinate people against TB. 

If that isn't enough, we will be showcasing our Heritage Week-exclusive pop-up exhibition on our current project, Conserving the Read's Collection, which has been kindly supported by the Heritage Council's Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2026. You can explore just some of the 800 objects donated to us from the original House of Read building at 4 Parliament Street. You will be able to see examples of the excellent craftsmanship of the cutlery, luxury goods and of course, the medical instruments.  

Both exhibitions are free to attend, no booking is required. 

If you want to know more about the Read's Collection conservation work, you will have the opportunity to chat directly with conservator Eleanor Haworth and RCPI's collections manager Jess Milhausen, who will be offering a walk-in event on all things to do with the project. They will be able to answer your questions on all things metal conservation and assessment. 

This event takes place Monday 17 August from 12pm to 1.30pm at No. 6 Kildare Street. No booking is required. 

We are excited to collaborate with Clem Kenny of the House of Read, and author and historian Michael Branagan to offer an evening discussion on Dublin's oldest merchant store, the Read family and trade history. 

From brewing ale and sheep farming in Kildare to the oldest cutlery shop in Dublin supplying cutlery, swords, corkscrews and an extensive range of medical instruments with a rich family tapestry including Arthur Guinness and West silverware in one of the last remaining intact Wide Street commissioners' building. 

This event takes place on Monday 17 August 2026, at 7pm at the House of Read, No. 4 Parliament Street. It is currently sold out; however you can join the waitlist here. 

Details of all our Heritage Week 2026 events can be found here. If you have any queries, email heritagecentre@rcpi.ie. Heritage Week is one of our busiest periods, and we love welcoming visitors to our home, to see what we do and share the collections with you. We are grateful to be able to collaborate with heritage professionals to bring you a varied and informative experience!