The rise and fall of Dr Achmet Borumborad - Near and Middle Eastern Studies

A ‘Turk’ in eighteenth-century Dublin: the rise and fall of Doctor Achmet Borumborad

Murat R. Şiviloğlu's article explores the extraordinary story of William Cairns, an Irish imposter who, as Dr. Achmet Borumborad, captivated 18th-century Dublin society by posing as a Turkish physician.

1780s drawing of Dr Achmet in the character of the Sultan.

20 Apr 2026

Murat R. Şiviloğlu's recent article in The Irish Times is based on his research, published in Irish Historical Studies, confirms the real identity of Borumborad, an elusive figure who presented himself as a Turkish physician fleeing political persecution in Istanbul.

The success of Cairns’s masquerade relied heavily on the cultural climate of 18th century Europe. The era was marked by Turquerie – a widespread fascination with Ottoman aesthetics and customs. With the Ottoman Empire’s military power waning, the West no longer viewed it as an existential threat, but rather as a source of exotic intrigue. When “Dr Achmet” arrived in Dublin, he simply stepped into a role that European high society was eager to applaud.

Şiviloğlu MR. A ‘Turk’ in eighteenth-century Dublin: the rise and fall of Doctor Achmet Borumborad. Irish Historical Studies. 2024;48(174):250-268.
Medicine bow: The rise and fall of Dr Achmet Borumborad, the ‘Turk’ who charmed Georgian Dublin (The Irish Times, An Irish Diary, 12 April 2026)

Near and Middle Eastern Studies

A ‘Turk’ in eighteenth-century Dublin: the rise and fall of Doctor Achmet Borumborad

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Image: Detail from 'Dr Achmet in the character of the Sultan' (1780). Reproduced by permission of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.