About the College 

The Faculty of Anaesthetists was founded in 1959 and was located at the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1998 The College of Anaesthetists of Ireland was established and now has premises at 22 Merrion Square. Dr Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, was awarded the first Honorary Fellowship of the College on 23rd September of that year.

The College is responsible for the continued guidance, training and examination of Anaesthetists in training. (see the Training section of this site for more details.)

Elections are held annually to the College Council which consists of nineteeen members who meet five times a year to discuss matters pertinent to education and training. A number of subcommittees meet more regularly.

The Council elects a President on a three-yearly basis. The current President is Dr Jeanne Moriarty.  There is a permanent Secretariat and Postgraduate Dean at 22 Merrion Square.

 

The College Arms reproduced here were granted in December 1999.

 

The shield contains a semee of poppy heads; the cloud symbolises the drift to the other side by way of haziness (unconsciousness) with the healing hand of the Physician in attendance.  The Supporters in the form of dolphins are unusual and are granted for the first time in Ireland.  They are contained on the "McDonnell of the Glens" Coat of Arms and in Heraldic terms provide a link to the administration of the first anaesthetic in Ireland by John McDonnell, a surgeon in the Richmond Hospital, Dublin.  The natural intelligence of Dolphins is acknowledged.  The Helmet with reef above afford protection to the Shield over which is the Harp of Ireland in the figure Nike (victory) associated with overcoming disease.  The Mantling in red and white is of obscure origin and is thought to afford protection from the elements.  The wording underneath "Salus Dum Vigilamus" is literally translated as "safety while we watch" - which speaks for itself.

 

The Badge, is an inverted roundel containing a poppy head.