Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks
A century of creativity: This project by The Irish Times and the Royal Irish Academy assesses Ireland’s literary and visual arts over the past century. Every week, we profile one work from each of the 100 years, starting with a well-known book from 1916
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1980 – In Her Own Image, by Eavan Boland
Poet’s reclaiming of the reality of women’s experience was both important and thrilling
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1974 – Christmas Eve, by Maeve Brennan
The Dublin-born writer found fame in New York, but her best stories are set in Ireland
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1972 –Structure, by Michael Kane
This journal of ‘art and thought’ provided a ‘rampageous anti-establishment voice’
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1970 – Troubles, by JG Farrell
The fall of the British Empire is expressed as dark comedy in this resonant novel
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1962 – Ár Ré Dhearóil, by Máirtín Ó Direáin
A sense of alienation pervades the poet’s most important and powerful collection
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1951 – A Family, by Louis le Brocquy
The painting, influenced by ‘Guernica’, secured his place in international modernism
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1945 – The Demon Lover and Other Stories, by Elizabeth Bowen
The writer used her unique imagination to devastating effect in these stories
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1932 – Eucharistic Congress skywriting over Dublin
Three words written in light across the sky assured Rome of Ireland’s unchanging religiosity
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1929 – An tOileánach, by Tomás Ó Criomhthain
The fisherman’s account of life on Great Blasket is a milestone in Irish-language literature
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1924 – Eve of St Agnes window, by Harry Clarke
Artist’s imaginative stained glass transcends the straitened State from which it sprang
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1923 – Decoration, by Mainie Jellett
A modernist take on old religious themes pointed the way to Jellett’s acceptance
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About this project
Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks is a collaboration between ‘The Irish Times’ and the Royal Irish Academy, assessing a century of Irish creativity. A panel of experts convened by the academy has chosen a single Irish artwork – book, painting, sculpture, play, poem or building – for each year from 1916 to 2015. Every Saturday Fintan O’Toole and panel members will profile one of these works in ‘The Irish Times’ and on irishtimes.com.
The Royal Irish Academy is Ireland’s leading body of experts in the sciences and humanities. The academy supports academic research and promotes awareness of how the sciences and the humanities benefit society. See also: www.ria.ie
