UCC was established in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges at Cork, Galway and Belfast. Sir Thomas Deane, a Cork-born architect, working with Benjamin Woodward, designed the original buildings including the Aula Maxima. Deane was responsible for many public buildings in Ireland, including the Kildare Street Club, Dublin; the Museum Building, Trinity College, Dublin; and the Cork Savings Bank. In order to assist him with the design of the new college buildings, Deane, who had been appointed architect in 1846, engaged the services of the architect and engineer Benjamin Woodward in the same year. Woodward had made a set of measured drawings in 1844 of Holy Cross Abbey, Co. Tipperary, which showed an understanding of medieval detailing.
Upon its completion in late 1849, the Cork College was regarded an important example of a Gothic Revival building. Deane and Woodward's achievement was aided by the dramatic setting of the building. The Western Road site was described by Deane, in 1847, as being an ‘excellent and commanding' and he also spoke about its ‘beauty and advantages' as a situation for a public building. The commanding nature of the site obviously allowed Deane and Woodward to use their skills to maximise the dramatic visual effect. Placing the larger and significant parts of the buildings – the Aula Maxima, the tower and library – close to the high cliff edge created a dramatic presence which dominated the city-bound traveller's view of the western edge of Cork city for many years.
On 7 November 1849, QCC opened its doors to students (there were only 115 students in that first session, 1849-1850) after the inaugural ceremony had been held in the Aula Maxima (originally called the Examination Hall). This event was reported in the local press and the Illustrated London News (17 Nov. 1849) together with an engraving that illustrated proceedings on the day.
'Inauguration of Queen's College Cork–The President's Address', Illustrated London News, 17 November 1849.
Architectural Context
Research indicates that the exterior and interior of the building were inspired by two other contemporary buildings: the interior by the hall and library at Lincoln's Inn, London, designed by Philip and Philip Charles Hardwick (1845); and the exterior of Francis Johnston's Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle (1814). While the Chapel Royal is regarded, by architectural historians, as a prototype for the Aula Maxima, it is possible that the statue of Queen Victoria, erected on the eastern gable over the Aula Maxima in 1849, was inspired by a similar one on the ‘Great South Gable’ of the Great Hall and Library Building at Lincoln's Inn in 1845. The hammer beamed roof of the Great Hall at Lincoln’s Inn is echoed in the roof of the Aula Maxima.
Great Hall, Lincoln's Inn, London. Engraving from the Illustrated London News, 1845.
The earliest known representation of the interior of the Aula Maxima is a watercolour painted by the architect's son Thomas Newenham Deane (1828-1899), then a student at Trinity College, Dublin. The watercolour was presented to QCC in 1849 as the architect's gift where it still remains and is now in the UCC Heritage Services Collections (1849.002).
The library, originally located in what is now the Staff Common Room and also overhead in the present Council Room, overflowed into the Aula Maxima in 1863 when the bookcases lining the walls were installed.
Presidents of Queen’s / University College Cork and their portraits
Ten portraits of the Presidents of Queen’s/University College Cork are hung on the western wall of the Aula Maxima and form a coherent display of the institutional history of the University. Both individually and collectively this is an assemblage of significant Irish artists, including John Butler Yeats, Derek Hill, Edward McGuire and Basil Blackshaw. Visitors can appreciate the heritage and history of the display in the august surroundings of the Aula Maxima. The Presidential Portrait collection was rehung in 2025 when the 'Women on Walls' portraits were added.
Sir Robert Kane - 1845-1873 – artist James Sinton Sleator PRHA (1885-1950)
James W. Slattery - 1890-1896 – artist John Butler Yeats RHA (1839-1922)
Sir Bertram C. A. Windle - 1904-1919 - artist J. H. Scully RHA (c.1860-1935)
Patrick J. Merriman - 1919-1943 – artist James Sinton Sleator PRHA (1885-1950)
Michael D. McCarthy - 1967-1978 – artist Edward McGuire RHA (1932-1986)
Tadhg Ó Ciardha - 1978-1988 – artist Derek Hill HRHA (1916-2000)
Michael P. Mortell - 1989-1999 – artist Basil Blackshaw HRHA HRUA (1932-2016)
Gerard T. Wrixon - 1999-2007 – artist Trevor Goring (1949- )
Michael B. Murphy - 2007-2017 – artist Colin Davidson RUA (1968- )
Patrick G. O'Shea - 2017-2020 – artist Vera Klute ARHA (1968- )
Joanne O'Riordan – artist Vera Klute ARHA (1968- )
Edna O'Brien (1930–2024) – artist Gerry Davis (1985- )
Honora ‘Nano’ Nagle (1718–1784) – artist Vanessa Jones
Group portrait of Dola Twomey, Naomi Masheti, Caitríona Twomey, Evelyn Grant, Brigid Carmody, Patricia Sheahan, Mary Crilly, and Myra Cullinane – artist Julianne Guinee
In the nearby Vestibule, the portraits of five Presidents can be seen:
William K. Sullivan - 1873-1890 – artist James Sinton Sleator PRHA (1885-1950)
Sir Rowland Blennerhassett - 1897-1904 – artist Mark Hathaway (1960- )
Alfred O'Rahilly - 1943-1954 – artist James Sinton Sleator PRHA (1885-1950)
Henry St J. Atkins - 1954-1963 – artist Somhairle MacCana ARCA (1901-1975)
John J. McHenry - 1964-1967 – artist Somhairle MacCana ARCA (1901-1975)
Stained Glass Memorial Windows
Boole Memorial Window
The window on the east (gable) wall commemorates George Boole FRS (1815-1864), the first Professor of Mathematics at UCC, whose algebra became the foundation of modern computer science. The memorial window was funded by gifts from his colleagues and friends and erected in 1866 by John Hardman & Company of Birmingham.
The top row or crown of the window
At the centre of the head of the window are the Royal Arms flanked by two panels, one containing the lion and the other the unicorn. To the left and right and a little lower are two further panels, that on the left containing the Cross of St. George on a shield surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves; that on the right containing the Irish harp on a shield surrounded by a wreath of shamrocks. Between these last are two panels containing the crowned rose and the crowned shamrock.
The main portion of the window is made up of ten panels in two tiers of five each (1-5 and 6-10).
Below the crown of the window: panels 1-5
Panel 1 represents Religion and Music and depicts St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) (wearing the bishop’s mitre), St Stephen (c.5-c.34 CE) and King David (seated, wearing a crown) “are associated together, suggesting the conception of music and religion—the art which softens and refines, and the great element which should guide and control the boldest aspirations of the mind; of whose influence none could be more sensible than the scholar with the memory of whom it is thus touchingly associated” (Cork Examiner, 5/12/1866, 2).
Panel 2 represents Navigation in the persons of Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) and Vasco di Gama (c.1460s-1524), and in front, a seated third figure whose right hand is touching a globe (not recorded and so far unnamed).
Panel 3 has a seated figure wearing a wreath of bay laurel leaves, with four attendant trumpeters. This is the personification of Fame and she holds three wreaths of bay leaves, which she is about to bestow. This panel is directly above Panel 8 that contains the figure of Boole. In Greek mythology, Pheme (FEE-mee; Greek: Φήμη, Roman equivalent: Fama), also known as Ossa, was the personification of fame and renown. She was a daughter either of Gaia or of Elpis (Hope), was described as ‘she who initiates and furthers communication’ and had an altar at Athens. In art, she was usually depicted with wings and a trumpet.
Panel 4 represents Medicine in the persons of William Harvey (1578-1657), Hippocrates of Kos (c.460-c.370 BCE) and a kneeling Galen of Pergamon (129-c.216 CE) who is facing towards the figure of Boole below.
Panel 5 represents architecture, sculpture and mechanics, in the persons of Archimedes of Syracuse (c.287-c.212 BCE) and Phidias (c.480-430 BCE). There are two other unnamed figures, one of whom may be Leonardo da Vinci and the other Dositheos to whom Archimedes wrote letters, but who is otherwise unknown.
Lowest row: panels 6-10
Boole Memorial Window, detail showing panels 6 to 10, with George Boole shown in central light.
Panel 6 (on the left) represents Astronomy in the persons of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), Hipparchus of Nicaea (c.190-c.120 BCE) and Galileo di Vincenzo Bonaulti de Galilei (1564-1642). In the sky above the figures is a meteorite, to which Copernicus is pointing with his left hand. Hipparchus is holding a protractor (this is a reference to his work on astronomical instruments) and looking towards the seated Galileo.
Panel 7 represents Mathematics in the persons of Francis Bacon (1561-1626), John Napier of Merchiston (1550-1617) and the seated Isaac Newton (1642-1726/27).
Panel 8 represents Mathematical Logic in the persons of Aristotle (384-322 BCE) and Euclid of Alexandria (around 300 BCE) standing behind the figure of George Boole, wearing an academic gown, who is seated at a desk writing.
Panel 9 represents Philosophy in the persons of Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716) and a seated René Descartes (1596-1650) holding a sword, representing modern metaphysicians and mathematicians.
Panel 10 represents Geography in the persons of Strabo (c.64 BCE-c.24 CE) and Claudius Ptolemy (c.100-c.170 CE), with a third unnamed figure. In the background are the jagged peaks of a mountain range. The figure in front is seated and touching a globe with his left hand, this is likely to be Ptolemy.
Running right across the base of these panels is the following inscription, so arranged that Boole's name comes directly under his likeness:
"In memoriam viri sancti pii docti ingenio plane singulari Georgii Boole, / Jur. Civ. Doct. Mathematiciam in hoc Collegio primus profitebatur. / Nat. 11 Nov MDCCCXV. Ob. VIII Dec MDCCCLXIV."
Translation: "In memory of the holy, pious, learned man of truly unique genius, George Boole, / Doctor of Laws, who was the first to profess mathematics in this College. Born 11 November 1815. Died 8 December 1864."
Harkness Memorial Window
The Harkness Memorial Window (sometimes called the ‘Professors' Window’) on the north wall is dedicated to the memory of Robert Harkness FRSE FRS (1816-1878), Professor of Mineralogy and Geology, at Queen’s College Cork from 1853 to 1878. This window was installed in 1880 from funds raised by his former colleagues and friends. The work was also created by the firm of Hardman, Birmingham, from drawings jointly designed by the company and the Professors of QCC. It is about 14 feet in height and is divided into six lights and three roundels.
The top row or crown of the window
At the peak is the Harkness coats of arms. Below this on either side are (on the left) the arms of the Queen’s University of Ireland and (on the right) a coat of arms representing Queen’s College Cork (but these are not the arms formally later granted in 1889).
On the two small left and right panels is written: “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God" and "And the Firmament Sheweth His Handywork”.
The middle row
Left-hand light: a medallion portrait of Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), the Swedish botanist.
Central light: in the panel directly above him are shown two of Harkness’s closest influences: Sir Charles Lyell and Sir Roderick Impey Murchison.
Right-hand light: a medallion portrait of Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric, Baron Cuvier, known as Georges Cuvier (1769-1832), French naturalist and zoologist.
The bottom row
Left-hand side: a medallion portrait of the German geologist, Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749-1817).
The lower central light is reserved for a full-length figure of Professor Harkness, who is represented in a characteristic attitude addressing his students.
Right-hand side: a medallion portrait of William ‘Strata’ Smith (1769-1839), known as the 'father of English Geology'.
The inscription, that is threaded across several of the windows, reads:
“In memoriam / Roberti Harkness / viri quum ingenio et / doctrina tum gravitate / scientiarum naturalium / in hoc collegio professoris / et comitate praestantissimi / posuerunt collegae discipuli amici”.
Translation: In memory of Robert Harkness, a man of genius and learning, as well as dignity, professor of natural sciences in this college and most distinguished for his courtesy [this window] was erected by his colleagues, students and friends.
The stained glass of John Hardman & Company is present in some Roman Catholic churches in Ireland, including the cathedrals at Armagh, Cobh and Killarney, and St Cronán's church at Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. The firm also carried out work for a number of Church of Ireland churches, most notably a series of stained-glass windows for Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
Use of the Aula Maxima
Since November 1849 the Aula Maxima has served many functions both ceremonial and practical. Annually since 1850, prize-givings and awards of scholarships have been presented in the Aula Maxima. As a constituent college in the NUI since 1908, conferring ceremonies were held in UCC from 1909 onward. Until the construction of the De Vere Hall in Áras na Mac Léinn, graduates received their degrees and become members of the University when the Aula Maxima was the location of all conferring ceremonies; these occurred in Spring, Summer and Winter as well as occasional honorary conferrings.
Until the beginning of the 21st century, undergraduate students on their first day at UCC filed though the Aula Maxima to sign the admission register and generations of students have sat examinations there. Student societies have used the hall for debates and lively social functions. Also here, Presidents of UCC have been inaugurated. Musical recitals and concerts, with musicians such as Seán Ó Riada, Aloys Fleischmann, Sir Arnold Bax and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, have been held in the Aula Maxima. Social functions which bring together College staff and people from the locality, weddings, as well as welcoming representatives of other universities, industry and the many other countries which UCC reaches out to are held in the Aula Maxima.
Extending beyond the University walls, UCC has welcomed events from the wider community. As far as back as 1850, the 'Summer Extra Show' of the Cork Agricultural Society was held in the Aula Maxima on 26 July, when fruits, flowers and vegetables were displayed and prizes awarded. The event was normally held in the Corn Exchange in the city but as it was unavailable the College obliged. There were Tableaux Vivants held in January 1892. On 22 January 2016, UCC welcomed the Church of Ireland in the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross event at the Aula Maxima. Chaired by Bishop Paul Colton (UCC alumnus), three lectures by Prof. Diarmaid Ferriter, UCD; Dr John Borgonovo, UCC; and Prof. John A. Murphy, Professor Emeritus, UCC, on the theme 1916: New Perspectives, Old Rows were presented. The Aula Maxima was the venue for TEDx at UCC on 16 March 2019. In October 2021 the Irish cabinet met in full session in the Aula Maxima.
Conservation
The Aula Maxima is part of a protected structure, material changes to which should, under Section 57 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, be declared to the local planning authority. In the early 2000s, John J. O’Connell Architects were commissioned by UCC to advise on the restoration and upgrading of this important historic building. It is noteworthy that this was the first planning application submitted concerning a ‘Protected Structure’ under the Planning Act 2000. In 2004, the interior and exterior of the Aula Maxima were completely restored using traditional materials and methods where appropriate. The works consisted of upgrading the services of the building, including heating and lighting, electrical, audio-visual and information technology. This work was shortlisted in 2011 for the RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation. In 2017 and 2025 the Presidential Portrait collection was rehung.
Booking the Aula Maxima
The Aula Maxima is available to hire for functions and events. To find out about how to book and other details, please contact Room Bookings in UCC Buildings & Estates.