Last year, the government gave Treasury Holdings the go-ahead to develop a national conference centre at Spencer Dock after a delay of almost 10 years.

Given the scale of recent economic growth, however, one large venue is unlikely to meet demand and the opening this week of a new conferencing venue by the Royal College of Physicians on Kildare Street, in the southern city centre, is a timely addition.

First opened in 1863, the premises has been completely renovated over three years to restore its 19th century grandeur.

The Grade One listed building now houses a complex new 'central nervous system' providing a full suite of modern multimedia facilities, including videoconferencing, a cinema, retractable stage and many other features.

A unique feature of the building is Dun's Library.

Named after Sir Patrick Dun, the library houses a collection that ranks among the most extensive and valuable libraries of historical medical books in Europe. It includes more than 30,000 books and journals, some dating from the early 16th century.