I received an email today from an academic, currently working with the OPW in Dublin Castle, but whose special area of interest and expertise is Irish cultural nationalism and the United Irishmen. The lecture, details below, is at a slightly awkward time perhaps, but on the other hand, this looks like it might be fascinating insight into an interesting and complex theme.
One American’s tribute to Irish sovereignty: Pondering William Robinson Leigh’s Writing the Epitaph: a Lecture, by Dr Sylvie Kleinman, Sunday 13 December 2015 3pm Admission Free. Full details below illustration.
Writing the Epitaph, an elaborate allegory depicting Erin writing
Emmet’s epitaph, (pictured above) was gifted to Eamon de Valera in 1944 by the American artist William Robinson Leigh, who had painted it around the time the Free State was established. When it arrived in Ireland in 1945, it was deemed to lack distinct artistic merit, and during the Commonwealth crisis of 1948 its ambiguous theme prompted some unease among officials. Yet, Leigh had arguably fulfilled Thomas Davis’ vision of ‘truly Irish art’.
Dr Sylvie Kleinman is a former Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow with a special interest in cultural nationalism and the United Irishmen. She is currently an OPW Guide and Information Officer at Dublin Castle.
lecture is free of charge and takes place in the beautiful Bedford Tower. (a great chance to get a look inside:) Booking is not essential but spaces are limited. To reserve, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2 – Tel: 01 645 8813 E-mail: DublinCastle@opw.ie
Arran Q Henderson 
Reblogged this on Na trioblóidí and commented:
Like to learn a thing or two? Follow Arran Q Henderson’s blog. You’ll be glad you did.
LikeLike