Apothecaries’ Hall of Ireland

Context

Creator(s): Apothecaries' Hall of Ireland Guild of St. Luke

• Administrative History ↴

  The Guild of St. Luke was established by Royal Charter in 1754, after several years of petitioning. The guild was mainly under the control of the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland, although they could create by-laws and exercise some control over the regulation of the profession. The Apothecaries Act of 1791 established the Apothecaries' Hall of Ireland, with a governor, deputy governor and thirteen directors and subscribers. Membership was open to all apothecaries in Dublin on payment of £100, on which annual interest was paid, making the Hall a licenses company. Under the Apothecaries' Act no apothecary could take an apprentice who had not been examined by the Hall, and apprentices were required to serve for seven years. Under the Act no one could open an apothecary's shop without a certificate from the Hall, and there were restrictions on the sale of poisons. Appeals against the Hall decision could be made to the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland. The Hall also had the right to impose fine on those who broke the terms of the Act. Under the Medical Act (1858) the qualification of Licentiate of Apothecaries' Hall was included as one of the recognised qualifications needed to practice medicine in the British Isle, as well as open an Medical Hall or Apothecary Shop. Apothecaries' Hall was an examining and licensing body, not a teaching one. Applicants had to present evidence of adequate attendance at lecture and clinical instruction at recognised centres, before sitting the examinations. In 1971 Apothecaries' Hall right to issue licenses to practice medicine was removed by the General Medical Council and the Medical Registration Council of Ireland. As the Hall was established by Act of Parliament, an Act of Parliament would also be needed to close it. The Hall continues to exist although its primary function has been removed.

• Archival History ↴

  The collection was held in Apothecaries' Hall's administrative building on Merrion Square until 2011 when it was transferred to the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

• Immediate Source Acquisition ↴

  Donation