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The mind and heart, history and culture of Ireland and its people are showcased through a variety of exhibits and events organized by Burns Library, which are on view now through April.
"The Irish Interior: Soul, Mind and Heart at the Beginning of a New Century” is based on a 1911 article that offered advice for an Irish family library, suggesting inclusions that would foster formation of the soul, mind, and heart, particularly for the country's Catholic population. Though the items displayed are more elaborate and of much higher quality than the same books or objects found in the homes of the rural or urban working class Irish in 1911, "they reveal the importance of the Church and devotional practices — and of the study of Irish history, literature, language, music and other arts — as the Irish sought to reclaim all aspects of their country's knowledge and culture and to begin to build a nation," says exhibit curator and Irish Studies Librarian Kathleen Williams.
The richness of Irish art in fine print can be experienced through "Painter, Illustrator, Author: Irish Art in the Twentieth Century," an exhibit of volumes from the University's Irish and Fine Print collections that highlights the intersection of Irish literature and book arts. This exhibit illustrates that "the passion for Irish visual art cannot be contained in oil and canvas," according to curator Andrew Kuhn, a doctoral candidate in English at BC. "The book also has been a site where Irish painters have honed their craft as illustrators, designers and writers.”
"Tom Williams – Irish Republican" focuses on the 1942 killing in Belfast of a Royal Ulster Constabulary Officer, for which an 18 year-old commander of an Irish Republican Army unit, Tom Williams, and his five soldiers, were held responsible and sentenced to death. Based around a petition that begs for the reprieve of the six men, the exhibit tells the story of the conditions leading to the judicial decision and its aftermath, says curator and Burns Library Senior Special Collections Cataloging Assistant Meaghan Madden.
"It demonstrates that one primary document can be a valuable resource for a variety of different research topics," said Madden. "Several areas of potential research are highlighted for students, so they can see how one might go about connecting a source to the topic."
This exhibit also represents the first integration of virtual content from the Burns Library's ongoing blog into a physical event, Madden said.
“Precious Poems in Precious Packaging: Irish Poems Printed and Bound by the Traffic Street Press" spotlights The Traffic Street Press Irish Poetry series. The books on display, made by Paulette Myers-Rich at the Press, are presented not only for their physical beauty, but for the inspiring nature of the imaginative, humorous, and touching poems they contain, said Burns Library Conservator Barbara Adams Hebard, co-curator of the exhibit with Williams. It is on view in the O'Neill Library Reading Room, Level Three, and also includes items of related historic interest from the Burns Library special collections.
In addition, on March 28, Burns Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies Dermot Keogh will present a lecture on "Contrasting Studies of Irish Catholic Intellectuals in a Revolutionary Age, 1908-1919" from 4-5:30 in the Burns Library Thompson Room.
The following day, March 29, the Gaelic Roots series will feature an “Irish Dance and Ceili” at 6:30 p.m. in Gasson 100, known as “The Irish Room.” Live music will be led by Sullivan Artist- in-Residence Seamus Connolly, with dances taught by internationally recognized dance teacher Kieran Jordan. The event is sponsored by the Center for Irish Programs, with refreshments and other support provided by the Boston College Libraries.
Viewing hours for all library locations can be found at www.bc.edu/libraries/about/hours.html.