RCPI receives generous loan of Dr Patrick Theodore O'Farrell portrait

On Wednesday 21 October, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) graciously received a portrait of renowned physician Patrick Theodore O’Farrell (1889-1968), kindly loaned by his descendant Dr Thomas John O’Farrell. Dr Thomas O'Farrell joined us for a special dinner during RCPI's Annual Conference whereby he presented this exquisite portrait of his. The portrait was painted by Irish artist Seán Keating (1889-1977), famed for his romantic-realist work. He is known for having painted iconic scenes of the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Civil War.

Born on 16 February 1889, Patrick O’Farrell came from a well-established medical family, with his father having been Surgeon General in Ireland. He entered UCD’s school of medicine, winning medals in surgery, midwifery and pathology, going on to obtain the conjoint diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and RCPI in 1910.

Patrick Theodore O'Farrell's record in the Roll of Licentiates under the Conjoint Scheme with RCSI (RCPI/10/9/1)

Six years later and still very early into his career, O’Farrell was one of two signatories that certified Irish revolutionary James Connolly was “perfectly rational and in complete possession of his faculties” to stand trial. James Connolly had been shot during the fighting, injuring his leg and unable to stand.

O’Farrell joined the Royal Flying Corps Medical Service, with deployments in Ireland, France, Belgium and the Middle East. He became Captain before serving as Medical Officer to the Dunlop plantations in Malacca. Returning to Ireland, he became Assistant Physicians at St Vincent’s Hospital in 1923, gaining his Diploma in Tropical Medicine in 1920 and Diploma in Public Health in 1924.

He became a Member of RCPI in 1931 and Fellow in 1933.

O’Farrell founded the Irish Cardiac Society in 1949, becoming its first President. It is an Irish professional society for those whose primary interest is in the practice of cardiology, cardiovascular surgery and research. Their inaugural meeting was held at St Vincent’s Hospital on 3 November 1949. He was one of the earliest cardiological practitioners in Dublin and is reputed to have brought the first ECG equipment to St Vincent's Hospital in the form of Eindhoven’s original string galvanometer adapted for use on patients.

Electro-Cardiographpic Department report for the Earl of Fingall, from St Vincent's Hospital, 21 June 1929, signed by P J O'Farrell

Minutes from the first meeting of the Irish Cardiac Society, 3 November 1949 (BMS/53)

He became President of the Irish Medical Association in 1950, British Medical Association in 1952 and the Royal Academy of Medicine in 1954. He was also given the honorary degree of LLD by Trinity College in 1952 and the University of Wales in 1953. Following these, he became the President of RCPI in 1958, until 1960.

Signed black and white photograph of Patrick Theodore O'Farrell in RCPI's Presidential gown, by T Ross (MS/113)

Upon his retirement, Dr Patrick Theodore O’Farrell relocated to London and continued to assist in the Irish Sisters of Charity (founders of St Vincent’s Hospital) hospice work over there. He died in June 1968, predeceased by his wife Laura Barnes. We wish to thank Thomas O'Farrell for the generously loaning this portrait to RCPI's Heritage Collection.