The Academy of Medicine was formed over 100 years ago.  Prior to this there had been medical societies; each catering for a different branch of medicine but they overlapped one another. For many years wide-ranging discussion had been held on how best to bring these bodies together so that they would have the advantage of union yet preserve their independence.

In the event a solution was found. In November 1882 in the Royal College of Surgeons an Academy was formed by the amalgamation of the four main medical societies – the Dublin Society of Surgeons, the Medical Society of the College of Physicians, the Pathological Society and the Dublin Obstetrical Society.  Instead of a loose federation, the founding fathers, with great imagination, created a completely new and dignified body – an academic version of the Royal Colleges. The Academy was to consist of a President and Council, Fellows, Members and Student Associates and the founding Societies became Sections of the Academy. The Presidency was seen as an office of great honour, almost on a level with those of the Royal Colleges. It is still regarded as one of the great offices in Irish medicine. Since 1882 there have been 42 Presidents all of them leaders of the profession and all lending their time and talents to furthering the interests of the Academy. The Presidential term was formerly three years; it is now two years and there is no provision for a second term. At present there are 22 sections covering many disciplines.

The Academy consists of a President, a Council, an Executive Committee and constituent Sections. The President is elected for two years (it was formerly three) and so far there have been 43 Presidents. The council consists of six elected members, a representative from each Section and the general Secretary and Editor who are ex-officio members.

At present there are over 1200 Fellows/members/Associate Members of the Academy. Fellows are elected at the Council or Committee meetings and have all the privileges of Fellows - attending and speaking at meetings, voting at elections, receiving the Irish Journal of Medical Science and being eligible for election to office.

While the Academy is open to anyone interested in the science and practice of medicine, membership of the Academy is almost essential in Irish medical life. Most of the leaders of the profession have taken their turn as Secretary and President of their particular Section and contribute to the meetings by their papers and attendance and the list of Presidents is a roll of honour of Irish medicine.

There are two prize lectures sponsored by the Academy in association with other bodies: The Graves Lecture with the Medical Research Council now in its 35th year, the Saint Luke’s with Saint Luke’s Hospital in its 23rd year. The Conway Review Lecture of the Section of Biomedical Sciences now in its 22nd year and the Samuel Haughton Lecture of the Section of Bioengineering are also awarded with the Academy’s silver medal.