RCSI’s Head Porter has many wide-ranging responsibilities but according to Frank Donegan, the job is all about who you know (and that means everyone)
Frank Donegan is hugely proud of his role as Head Porter at RCSI, a position he has held since 2013 when he took over after the retirement of Jim Sherlock, who in turn succeeded the late Terry Slattery. It was the latter who employed 17-year-old Frank, who was born and bred on York Street, in a building since demolished on the site of 26 York Street. Frank remembers the early days of his job:
Before I became the fittest messenger boy in Dublin, I was knackered trying to get blood and urine (gallons of it!) to various hospitals, miles apart, within just a few hours. I confess that sometimes then, I’d hold a few back until the next day’s trip. One day, a nice girl, a technician in pathology who I had taken a bit of a shine to, sat me down and gave me a cup of tea. She explained how patients would be so worried waiting for test results. at changed my whole attitude. I’d get the samples to where they needed to be in rain, hail or snow.
That attitude was to serve the College well. Having spent so much of his life working at RCSI, there isn’t anything Frank doesn’t know about the place – or anyone he doesn’t know. Always ready to welcome returning alumni, visitors, invited speakers, conference delegates, he is quick to effect introductions, smooth paths and make things happen efficiently and courteously, ready to whisper a name into the ear of a member of staff who might need a prompt. He handles sensitive and confidential information and is the epitome of discretion. He is the College Mace Bearer at key events and maintains many RCSI traditions. He conducts tours of the College for prospective students and their families and understands the importance of this, the bigger picture, for RCSI: these students will be the future. He is always ready to provide support for an evening event or when things are particularly busy. “I’m part of a bigger team,” he says. “We are all proud to work together.” Here, he gives an insight into some of the characters alumni always remember...
PROFESSOR ARNOLD HILL Head of the School of Medicine and Professor of Surgery
Leading breast cancer surgeon and head of the medical school, the Prof is known to everyone.
ANNE LEGGE Former Lecturer in Anatomy
Alumni always recall her teaching powers, the way she could communicate made her very popular with students.
PROFESSOR PATRICK BROE Consultant General Surgeon, Beaumont Hospital and Former President of RCSI
Our paths crossed most when Professor Broe was President of the College; at the many events, I’d look after him, make introductions with visitors. Warm, approachable, down to earth.
PROFESSOR MOIRA O'BRIEN Former Lecturer in Anatomy
Before my time, but alumni still ask for her. Her number one concern was for students and she inspired huge respect as lecturer in Anatomy. She was also well-known for being the Irish Olympic team doctor for years. I last met her when she was at RCSI to receive the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2020.
TERRY SLATTERY (1935-2020) Former Head Porter and Mace Bearer
Terry had a sort of Downton Abbey grandeur – he looked the part, he had the height, the face, the voice, the stature. His father was a prison officer in Mountjoy and he had wanted to be a guard, but he was born for this role. His knowledge of this place was legendary first time I had to assist the academics in the Gowning Room as they donned their ceremonial robes. I was really anxious, I didn’t know what to say. He told me to go to the newsagent and get a copy of Country Life and read it: ‘That will give you things to talk about.’ A great friend and mentor, no problem was ever too big for Terry to solve.
PROFESSOR MARY LEADER Professor of Pathology
A very active contributor and attendee at student events and activities. Alumni of all ages know her, either as their contemporary or as their teacher. As part of my tours of 123, I always make sure to point out her portrait, which is one of the nine photographs by Amelia Stein of female leaders within RCSI.
PROFESSOR STANLEY MONKHOUSE Former Professor of Anatomy
He re-organised the whole system of teaching Anatomy, initiating table teaching, allotting one demonstrator to two tables. After retiring, he became a reverend in Oxford, a church leader. Very popular, outspoken, straight-talking – he’d tell you what he thought.
PROFESSOR KEVIN MCGUIGAN Associate Professor in the Physiology and Medical Physics Department
Anything strange?” one of us will say. We have known each other years, good friends who share an appetite for all the College news.
LIZ DOYLE Former Student Welfare Officer
Liz was the students’ mammy. She went beyond the call of duty: caring for them, paying their ESB bills, comforting students who failed, writing references and finding them positions. With so many students far away from homes and family, she played a key role in student welfare.
JOHNNY ROBINSON (1933-1993) Former Car Park Attendant
Johnny Carpark was a legend: he could fit 100 cars into ten spaces. If a doctor pulled up late for a lecture, or a student late for an exam, he would say ‘Give me your keys, off you go!’ If a surgeon had to get their car out to get to the hospital urgently, Johnny would manoeuvre ten cars to do it. A valet parking service before the term even existed! He died on his 60th birthday, having parked cars that day. We always say that if he had lived longer, there would be no 26 York Street – it would be a carpark!
JIM SHERLOCK Former Porter
While best known as Head Porter, Jim was also associated with sport at RCSI, especially the soccer team and in particular the memorable 1994 trip to the World Cup in the USA. Now retired, he is called upon to be an invigilator, a patient simulator and is on the Board of Trustees of the College.
MR HAROLD BROWNE (1922-2015) Former Lecturer in Anatomy since 1953, Surgical Prosector from 1987
He was very unassuming, humble, respected and very well known. He lectured until he was 90 and when he died, the students lined York Street as the hearse made its way past the College. He was a huge Arsenal supporter and I was a Manchester United fan, so we enjoyed the rivalry. RCSI has dedicated a lecture theatre in his name.
CORRIENA BRIEN, Head of Student Services
Students always find Corriena helpful and approachable. Every year she accompanies a team to the Boston Marathon and is a fantastic support to them.
MR PARNELL KEELING Lecturer and Surgical Prosector, Dept of Anatomy
The Keeling brothers were all named after generals. I’d describe Parnell as staunch RCSI. He always had time for a conversation – about all sorts.
PROFESSOR DAVID BOUCHIER-HAYES (1940-2019) Former Dean of RCSI and Professor of Surgery
The Bouch was a character, witty and warm, a teller of great stories; he knew every student personally. A great innovator (he brought laparoscopic surgery to Ireland), a superb teacher and a brilliant mentor to many. The Bouch would always attend Results Day – he’d be there to pick the best students to work with him! He is immortalised with an auditorium named in his honour.
DOROTHY BENSON Worked in the Exams Office and still an invigilator for exams
Alumni will know Dorothy Benson who worked in RCSI exams office for a number of years and continues to work as an invigilator for exams.
PROFESSOR ALAN JOHNSON Former Dean of RCSI and Lecturer in Biochemistry
AJ was hugely popular, he served two terms as Dean so all the students knew him well. Very involved with RCSI rugby, he was also on the wine committee, choosing wines for Charter Day and other special occasions. There were lots of tastings and visits to the wine cellar to show me what needed to be taken up.
MR BRIAN LANE Lecturer and Surgical Prosector, Dept of Anatomy
As we say at RCSI, ‘Don’t let knowledge walk out the door’. This applies to no-one more: Brian has a way of teaching that alumni still talk about – beyond what’s in the textbooks. Inspirational. Whenever I am taking prospective students and their families on a tour of 26 York Street, Brian will make time to engage with them. He understands the bigger picture.
