Launch of Stage 1b (Audio files) and announcement of the panel of photographers for Stage 2
30 November 2016
Professor Philip Nolan, President, Maynooth University, launched the audio files component of the 'Portraits of Irish Language Writers' project at a special occasion held in the University Library on 17 November 2016.
COMHAR and Foras na Gaeilge were delighted that Dr Philip Nolan, President, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, was on hand to launch the audio files which comprise Stage 1b of the Portráidí na Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge (Portraits of Irish Language Writers) project in the John Paul II Library, Maynooth University, Kildare on 17 November 2016.
These audio files allow the public to access recordings of the writers reading an excerpt of their own choosing from their work. The recordings are being placed with each online entry to enhance the archival capacity of the project. The facility to hear the voices of these wordsmiths bringing their work to life adds considerably to the experience of viewing the portrait.
The first news of Stage 2 of the multi-annual, multi-stage project Portraidí was also announced at this event. A panel has been formed to continue the work of portraiture begun by Máire Uí Mhaicín, so that the archive of living Irish-language writers can be made as complete as possible over time. The panel comprises the following photographers whose names were made public on the night:
• Ronan Doherty, Design and Technical Consultant, Portráidí na Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge
• Lára Ní Mhaoláin, lecturer in Modern Irish, Maynooth University
• Seán Ó Mainnín, photographic editor, tuairisc.ie
• Máirín Seoighe, filmmaker and founder of Scannáin Dobharchú
The project participants would like to extend their thanks to this panel as they commence this task in the New Year.
The University Library also mounted an exhibition for the occasion based on the portraits of those writers currently featured in the project with links to Maynooth, the University or Co. Kildare.
The names of the first group of eight writers whose newly commissioned portraits will be placed on the website portraidi.ie as part of Stage 2 of the Portráidí na Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge project will be announced publicly at COMHAR Teo’s major Christmas launch ceremony, Tuesday 13 December at 6:30pm in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.