RCSI will open to up the public and architecture enthusiasts as part of the Open House Dublin (OHD) 2014 festival this coming weekend, Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 October. A total of four tours of the College will be run over the two days.

The tours will be guided by the Portering team of Frank Donegan, Head Porter; and Bryan Sheils, Deputy Head Porter of the College. An insight into the College's architecture will be provided by a third tour guide from the Irish Architecture Foundation.

Guests can, therefore, expect to experience the exquisite architecture that makes up the grand façade on St Stephen's Green as well as the rooms and halls of RCSI which was built originally in 1810 on a disused Quaker burial ground and later extended in 1827. The tours will also recount the College's history, from its student and staff involvement in World War I to occupation of RCSI during Easter Week by insurgents under the command of Michael Mallin and Countess Markievicz to the election of the first female Dean of a medical school and first female President of a Surgical College in 2010.

The tours will depart from the York Street entrance at 11am and 12pm on Saturday, 18 and from 12pm (midday) and 1pm on Sunday, 19 October. Spaces on these tours are strictly limited to 30 people per tour and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis on each day.

Open House Dublin 2014 is run by the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) and will run from the 17-19 October. The OHD programme offers members of the public the chance to explore several buildings in the capital over the course of the weekend, each one offering a unique insight into Dublin's architectural story.