The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) has submitted a planning application to Dublin City Council to develop the Medicine Museum at its headquarters on Kildare Street.

Over its 350-year history, the college has accumulated a vast collection of medical artefacts, records, and documents. Now, the RCPI aims to make this exceptional legacy more accessible to the public by opening the museum in the building’s basement.

Founded in 1653, the RCPI intends for the museum to serve as a “centre of excellence for education, research, and public engagement with the history of medicine and medical humanities in Ireland.”

Located near Dáil Éireann and the National Library, the RCPI has occupied its Kildare Street headquarters since 1864.

The plans for the museum, designed by the architectural firm Scott Tallon Walker, include a new entrance at the basement level. Visitors will navigate through five distinct zones in a circular exhibition space.

One zone will focus on the medieval and early modern world of physicians, exploring their interactions with barbers, surgeons, apothecaries, midwives, and periwig makers. The exhibits will also cover historical medical treatments, sources of herbal medicines, and the evolving role of physicians over the centuries.

Another area of the museum will highlight the RCPI’s first charter, granted in 1692, and showcase items from its early years and founding members. Visitors will also learn about the evolution of medical practice, training methods, and modern technologies.

Additionally, the museum will feature updates on the RCPI’s current international education programs and public health campaigns, including an interview with the physician who developed the first COVID-19 vaccine.

Dublin City Council has expressed support for the proposed development, calling it “appropriate and acceptable” in principle. However, council planners have requested further details to ensure the project meets standards of good planning and conservation.

The RCPI has proposed opening hours for the museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with potential weekend hours during peak seasons. The museum will limit entry to a maximum of 50 visitors at any given time, though the college anticipates this capacity will rarely be reached.

A decision on the planning application is expected in the coming weeks. The RCPI headquarters, a protected structure, closely resembles the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.