SNIPPET: The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland was granted its charter on 11th February 1784. To mark their ancient association with the guild of barbers the two most junior members of the Council of the College carry red and white barber poles on ceremonial occasions. Two books on the subject are "The Royal College of Surgeons" by Eoin O'Brien (Eason and Son), and "Portrait Of Irish Medicine" (Ward River Press) by Dr. O'Brien, Dr. Anne Crookshank with Gordon Wolstenholme, per my old 1984 issue of "Ireland Of The Welcomes" magazine, the latter described as a "long-awaited and most splendid book." Perhaps you can find these in your library.