Exhibition Update: Writing from the Irish Language Tradition

Buile Suibhne – Galway sculptor John Coll depicts “Mad Sweeney,” subject of Seamus Heaney’s long poem, Sweeney Astray, published in 1983. This sculpture is part of the Burns Library’s “Writing from the Irish Language Tradition” exhibit. Photograph by Gary Wayne Gilbert.

If you missed the McMullen Museum’s “Literary Lives” exhibition, then visit the Burns Library’s Irish Room to enjoy another display of materials from the Burns Library’s Irish Collection. The McMullen Museum’s  “Literary Lives” exhibition, which ended on December 5th, featured many items from the Burns Library’s collections, including 11 works of art, 7 artifacts and 90 letters, manuscripts and books, as well as a dozen photographs from the Bobbie Hanvey Photographic Archives.
The Burns Library exhibition, entitled “Writing from the Irish Language Tradition:  Ancient Inspires New”, was curated by Kathleen Williams, Irish Studies Librarian.   “Writing from the Irish Language Tradition” contains books, manuscripts and sculptures that focus on the Irish language tradition from the early eighteenth century scribe William Sheehan to contemporary poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill. This exhibition highlights writings in Irish and in English by ancient and contemporary Irish authors who, inspired by the natural and mystical, frame golden notes for others to hear, take to heart and mind and to use to create anew.   During a study break, or between exams, please stop by the Burns Library to see this wonderful exhibit!

• Justine Sundaram, Bibliographer/Reference Librarian, Burns Library