The Aula Maxima at UCC Proudly Unveils New Portraits of Munster Women

On 8 December, alumni and friends gathered in the Aula Maxima for an evening of celebration, featuring an engaging “In Conversation” with portrait subjects Evelyn Grant and Joanne O’Riordan, alongside artist Julianne Guinee.

The evening included a special musical performance by Evelyn Grant and her husband Gerry Kelly, who presented a unique O’Carolan arrangement composed by Evelyn’s stepfather, adding a personal and evocative dimension to the event that beautifully complemented the evening’s reflections on creativity, resilience, and the stories behind these remarkable portraits. 

The previous week, a historic series of contemporary fine-art portraits celebrating eleven pioneering Munster women has been unveiled as part of Accenture’s Women on Walls at UCC, in partnership with Business to Arts.

These works honour women whose leadership, creativity, and dedication have shaped Irish society and now form a permanent addition to the Aula Maxima and UCC’s art collection.

This chapter of the Women on Walls campaign began with a nationwide open call in 2024, resulting in over 600 nominations. The final selection represents a diverse cross-section of Munster women, both historical figures and contemporary trailblazers, whose impact continues to resonate today.

Each portrait reflects the subject’s character, achievements, and enduring influence, resulting in a series that is both artistically compelling and culturally significant.

The commissioned works comprise three individual portraits and one group portrait by some of Ireland's finest established and emerging artists;

• Gerry Davis – individual portrait of Edna O’Brien
• Vera Klute – individual portrait of Joanne O’Riordan
• Vanessa Jones – individual portrait of Nano Nagle
• Julianne Guinee – Group portrait featuring Evelyn Grant, Naomi Masheti, Mary Crilly, Dola Twomey, Caitríona Twomey, Brigid Carmody, Myra Cullinane, and Patricia Sheahan

Learn more about the campaign and view the portraits: ucc.ie/en/womenonwalls

The group portrait features L-R: Dola Twomey, Dr Naomi Masheti, Brigid Carmody, Dr Evelyn Grant, Caitríona Twomey, Dr Patricia Sheahan, Mary Crilly and Dr Myra Cullinane. It was created by Cork artist Julianne Guinee. Photo Credit: Shane O'Neill