Accenture’s Women on Walls Take Centre Stage at UCC ‘In Conversation’ Event

10 Dec 2025

UCC staff, alumni, and friends gathered on 8 December for an unforgettable evening marking the recent unveiling of the historic new series of contemporary portraits. The event celebrated the artists and changemakers whose vision and contributions have profoundly shaped and enriched society.

UCC staff, alumni, and friends gathered on 8 December for an unforgettable evening marking the recent unveiling of the historic new series of contemporary portraits. The event celebrated the artists and changemakers whose vision and contributions have profoundly shaped and enriched society.

The event featured artist Julianne Guinee, who painted the group portrait in conversation with Dr. Avril Hutch, Director of EDI and some of the Accenture’s Women on Walls subjects Evelyn Grant, Joanne O’Riordan and Dola Twomey.

Speaking at the event Dr. Avril Hutch, Director of EDI said, “Until now, women have not been represented on the walls of the Aula Maxima. With the unveiling of Accenture's Women on Walls portraits, we are not only celebrating extraordinary women – we are rewriting history. This moment reminds us that representation matters. While there is still work to do, today brings us closer to ensuring that every future generation who walks into this room sees a story that is fuller, richer, and truer to the community UCC serves. We are sincerely grateful to our WoW partners, subjects and artists and UCC colleagues for making this vision a reality.”

The evening also featured a special musical performance by Evelyn Grant and Gerry Kelly, who marked their 50th wedding anniversary performing together. They presented a unique O’Carolan arrangement composed by Evelyn’s stepfather, adding a personal and evocative dimension to the event. Evelyn’s recent inclusion in Accenture’s Women on Walls will be further celebrated later this week in Cork, with a dedicated tribute by the Cork Pops Orchestra.

The event was organised by the EDI Unit and the Advancement Office.

Kerry Bryson, Director of Business Development and Advancement said, “The partnership between the Advancement Office and the EDI Unit plays a vital role in strengthening the university’s relationship with its alumni, donors, and broader stakeholder community. By working together, both units ensure that engagement activities not only celebrate the achievements of UCC graduates and supporters but also reflect the university’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment.”

This collaborative approach enables UCC to highlight diverse voices, promote representation across its programmes, and build meaningful connections with communities that may have been historically underrepresented. Joint initiatives also reinforce the message that philanthropy, alumni engagement, and institutional development are most impactful when grounded in principles of equality, respect, and belonging.

Through shared planning, co-hosted events, and aligned strategic goals, the Advancement Office and the EDI Unit help position UCC as a university that values both excellence and inclusivity. Their partnership strengthens trust, enhances visibility, and ensures that the university’s engagement efforts reflect the full richness and diversity of the UCC community - past, present, and future. Accenture's Women on Walls | University College Cork is a campaign that seeks to make women leaders visible through a series of commissioned portraits that will create a lasting cultural legacy for Ireland. This is the fourth chapter of Women on Walls and the first outside of Dublin.

The commissioned portraits were created by Irish-based artists Gerry Davis, Vanessa Jones, Vera Klute, and Julianne Guinee, selected following a competitive open call for artists led by Business to Arts.

The series of four portraits (one group portrait and three individual portraits) are as follows:

Julianne Guinee - group portrait of:

• Brigid Carmody, Coordinator of Cork Traveller Women's Network, a grass-roots community organisation that works for Traveller rights, leadership, culture and heritage.
• Mary Crilly, feminist activist and founding member and CEO of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.
• Dr. Myra Cullinane, medical doctor, barrister and Senior Dublin District coroner who held the Stardust inquests.
• Dr. Evelyn Grant, musician, broadcaster, educator, arts advocate, social entrepreneur and co-founder of the Cork Pops Orchestra.
• Dr. Naomi Masheti, psychologist, three-time UCC graduate and Programme Director of the Cork Migrant Centre.
• Dr. Patricia Sheahan, consultant palliative care physician and head of palliative care at University Hospital Kerry.
• Caitríona Twomey, volunteer co-ordinator of Cork Penny Dinners, a charity that offers food and support to anyone in need.
• Dola Twomey, therapist/activist at the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.

Gerry Davis - individual portrait of Edna O’Brien (1930–2024), novelist, memoirist, playwright and poet

Vanessa Jones - individual portrait of Honora “Nano” Nagle (1718–1784), pioneering educator and founder of the Presentation Sisters

Vera Klute - individual portrait of Joanne O’Riordan, sports journalist, disability activist and motivational speaker