Architect: Edward Parke & William Murray
No Interior Access
Beautifully sited on St Stephen's Green the building of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland was built in two phases. The original building was the last three southern bays of the existing structure and 5 bays deep along Yorke Street. Designed by Edward Parke, this was absorbed into the later structure of William Murray - a prominent bank architect and cousin of Francis Johnston. Murray added 4 bays to the north and moved the pediment to the new centre of the building.. The facade is distinguished by large round headed windows on the main facade separated by free standing columns. The pediment has the Royal Arms and is capped by three statues - Athena (Goddess of Wisdom and War), Asclepius (God of Medicine) and Hygiea (Goddess of Health) all by John Smyth.
The interior of the building is very elaborate with an impressive hallway and top lit staircase with Adamesque plasterwork. Also of note is the boardroom by Parke. The RCSI played an important part in the Easter Rising of 1916 - it was occupied by rebel forces led by Countess Constance Markievicz and remained relatively unscathed although bullet holes are visible on the stonework.