MAKING AN
ENTRANCE RCSI has a rich and colourful history dating back to 1784 and, while the College is rooted firmly in the 21st century, it retains many customs you won’t see in its newly launched virtual tour. We talk to three RCSI custodians about how they came to be the backbone of the College, the keepers of curiosities and minders of traditions that make up the character of RCSI. Toastmasting Duties
Former Head Porter Terry Slattery recalls the first occasion he was called upon to take on the role of Toastmaster: “When the Toastmaster died, Billy Hederman (then President of RCSI) said: ‘Why not get Terry to do it?’. I was friendly with the porter in Iveagh House and he gave me a few pointers. I took to it, learning the correct protocol, who takes precedence, announcing dinner, introducing the speakers and so on.”
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From left: Head Porters Frank Donegan, Terry Slattery, Jim Sherlock
PORTRAIT OF THE PORTERS The RCSI triumvirate – Terry, Jim and Frank – are well known by alumni for their unfailing courtesy and for going above and beyond the call of duty for students. But what brought them to the College in the first place? They recall how they found themselves at RCSI and what kept them there. TERRY SLATTERY Head Porter 1981 – 2001 Terry was working for an agricultural equipment company when it went bust and he was unemployed for all of three weeks before being snapped up for the position of Head Porter at RCSI. He only accepted the position after consulting a family friend, Mrs Rice from Rice’s public house on St Stephen’s Green (which RCSI students regarded as a second home) who told him to go for it. When the job interview progressed to being shown how to number desks in the Exam Hall, he had an inkling he had passed muster. “I was to start immediately. I vividly remember my first week: The Stardust fire happened on the Friday, and the following night was the biggest date in the College
