Prof Brendan Kelly appointed at Dun’s Librarian Elect
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is pleased to
announce the appointment of Prof Brendan Kelly as Dun’s Librarian Elect. Prof
Kelly will take up the Dun’s Librarian post in June on the retirement of the
current holder, Dr Paul Darragh.
The Dun’s Librarian post has existed in RCPI since 1787.
Originally responsible for the College’s teaching library, the post has evolved
in recent years to one of oversight of the College’s Heritage Centre and
historic collections, which received full museum accreditation from the
Heritage Council in 2018.
Prof Mary Horgan, RCPI President, said:
“I am
delighted to welcome Professor Brendan Kelly to the position of Dun’s
Librarian-elect and look forward to working with him in advancing the mission
of our Heritage Centre and its associated collection. The centuries-old history
of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is unique and will be in good
hands under the guidance of Prof Kelly alongside our Keeper of Collections,
Harriet Wheelock. I must also take this opportunity to extend thanks to our
outgoing Dun’s Librarian, Dr Paul Darragh, for his tireless work in this area
and in helping the Heritage Centre and its collections to flourish during his
time in the role.”
Prof Brendan Kelly said
"The Royal College of Physicians in Ireland has a unique
and invaluable library and heritage collection. The collections reveal not only
the history of medicine, but also key developments in the history of Ireland as
a nation, and the enormous impact of Irish doctors abroad. Dun's Library is one
of Ireland's national treasures and its full potential has yet to be explored.
I'm delighted to take up the post of Dun's Librarian and to be part of that
exploration in the years ahead."
Brendan Kelly is Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College
Dublin and Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital. He holds
doctorates in medicine, history, governance and law, and has published
extensively in these areas. Amongst his numerous publications are Mental Health in Ireland: The complete guide
for Patients, families, heath care professionals and everyone who wants to be
well (Liffey Press, 2017) Hearing
Voices: The history of Psychiatry in Ireland (Irish Academic Press, 2016)
and Dignity, Mental Health and Human
Rights: Coercion and the law (Routledge, 2015). Brendan has been a Fellow
of the College since 2011, and a Member of the Library and Heritage Committee
since 2015.