It was announced today that a major international exhibition celebrating the life and work of Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney, is planned for display at the new Cultural and Heritage Centre within Bank of Ireland’s College Green complex.
Curated by the National Library of Ireland (NLI), it will celebrate the life and work of Heaney (1939-2013), who was also a distinguished essayist, playwright, translator, professor, and literary critic.
The exhibition will draw on the writer’s extensive literary archive, which was donated to the NLI in 2011, and on archives held by Emory University. It will feature Heaney’s original manuscripts as well as letters, unpublished works, diary entries, photographs, broadsides and multi-media recordings.
Bank of Ireland announced in February 2014 that it would make public exhibition space available to the State for a period of ten years. Recognised as important heritage buildings which have played a significant role in the history of Ireland, the new Cultural and Heritage Centre based in the College Green buildings will be utilised for the staging of exhibitions and other cultural events that will be open to the public.
The Heaney exhibition will be the first exhibition to be housed in the new Cultural Centre, and is expected to run for several years.
The free, public exhibition will be curated for the NLI by Professor Geraldine Higgins, director of Irish Studies at Emory University, who also curated Emory’s highly praised exhibition, ‘Seamus Heaney: The Music of What Happens’ in 2014.
The exhibition is planned for 2017.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Seamus Heaney's son Mick said, "I'm delighted at the news that the National Library is organising an exhibition on my father's work and life and that it will be the inaugural show at this new cultural space in one of Dublin's most famous buildings.
"He was extremely happy that his papers found a home at the National Library and our family is honoured at the prospect of this exhibition and the opportunity for a wider audience to enjoy and engage with his archive."
Chief Executive at Bank of Ireland, Richie Boucher added, "I am delighted that this project can now move forward, and that the inaugural exhibition in the College Green Cultural and Heritage Centre will be one of such significance.
"Bank of Ireland has been part of the fabric of Irish life since 1783, has been operating from College Green for more than 200 years, and today is the largest lender to the Irish economy. Our College Green buildings form a very important part of Ireland’s history and heritage, and it is fitting that they will host an inaugural exhibition of such national and international significance."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
