Pop-Up Exhibition - Conserving the Read's Collection

Come to our pop-up exhibition and take a look first-hand at just some of the 800 objects that came from the original House of Read on Parliament Street, now housed at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Some of these items are currently being conserved, thanks to the support of the Heritage Council's Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2026.

The Read’s Collection documents an important period of medical instrument production in Ireland and shows the changes in medical standards through the 19th and early 20th century. However, this collection is unique not only because it relates to medical history here in Ireland, but because it also speaks to the history of commerce in Dublin and the legacy of Read's Cutlery as Dublin's oldest shop. While predominantly medical instruments, the collection also includes other objects, such as a selection of Read’s famous cutlery, personal items and luxury gifts, and the raw materials used in the production of the cutlery and medical instruments.

This is a free walk-in, pop-up exhibition; No booking required. Please note that we are not open on Thursday, 20 August 2026.