Inez J Fletcher selects an illuminated page from a Gaelic manuscript from the collection of the National Library of Ireland
Over thirty years ago, the scholar, Nessa Ní Sheaghdha (1916–93), brought this illumination to my attention when I was arranging an exhibition in the National Library for Seachtain na Gaeilge. Illustrations are rare in Gaelic manuscripts and this one shows Noah’s Ark, Noah and his wife (in the upper left section), and the divisions for the family, horses and birds. The dove (columba) also appears with the sprig of foliage in its beak and the raven (corvus). There must have been variants of the story, because in the biblical version, it is the raven that comes back with the olive leaf and the dove doesn’t return. It is entitled in the top left corner Denamh in hairce andseo 7 Sliabh Armenia fuil the (The construction of the Ark here and Mount Armenia below).
Ahead of Dragana Jurisic’s solo show at the RHA in September we republish Stephanie McBride’s examination of the photographer’s 2011 show at the Droichead Arts Centre, studies of urban survival taken during the Celtic Tiger years, revealing Ireland’s struggling society.
Paul Larmour visits the new theatre, which he describes as a boon for the dramatic arts and the most exciting building in Belfast