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New exhibition explores the story behind the printing of the 1916 Proclamation
A new exhibition at University College Cork (UCC) shines a light on the story behind one of Ireland’s most iconic documents, focusing not on its words, but on the people who made its existence possible.
Before it could be read aloud, it had to be printed, quietly, urgently, and under immense risk. 'Printed in Defiance: Making the 1916 Proclamation' explores the extraordinary circumstances under which the Proclamation was created in the days leading up to the Easter Rising to commemorate the 110th anniversary of its printing.
The free exhibition at UCC Library is centred around an original first issue copy of the 1916 Proclamation which was brought from the GPO in Dublin by what is believed to be the youngest member of the garrison after philanthropists donated the document to UCC. The Proclamation was generously donated by Liam and Kaye Cronin, who also made a gift to Cork University Foundation to support students, at undergraduate and PhD level, from under-represented socio-economic backgrounds.
Liam Cronin said: “It has always felt important to me that this Proclamation should have a home in Cork. For a document so central to the story of our Republic, it seemed only right that it be shared more widely, especially in UCC, where history, learning and public access come together. I have long believed that without Cork, there would not have been a Republic, and this is a small way of recognising that connection."
"Seeing the careful conservation work that has now been undertaken only reinforces that this was the right decision. Knowing that the Proclamation is now preserved to the highest standard, and made accessible for future generations of students, researchers and the public, gives me great confidence that it will continue to educate and inspire long into the future.”
The story behind one of Ireland’s most iconic documents
The exhibition reveals how a small group of printers, working with limited type, faulty machinery, and under the constant threat of arrest, brought the document into being. Their work transformed a revolutionary idea into something tangible, portable, and dangerous.
Kerry Bryson, CEO of Cork University Foundation, said: “We are deeply grateful to Liam and Kaye Cronin for their extraordinary generosity in gifting this important national document to UCC through the Cork University Foundation. Their decision ensures that the Proclamation is not only safeguarded, but also shared, enabling us to engage with a defining moment in our history in a meaningful and lasting way.”
In the aftermath of the Rising, when possession of the Proclamation became evidence of rebellion, the risks did not end. The exhibition also highlights the courageous decision to preserve a copy rather than destroy it. Safeguarded through a period of fear and uncertainty, this copy survived and was passed on as a responsibility to future generations. Today UCC Library continues this responsibility.
The UCC exhibition foregrounds the quiet courage, skilled labour, and critical decisions that ensured the Proclamation endured. It invites visitors to reflect on how fragile heritage is made, protected, and remembered. Every variation in ink, every altered letter, and every incidental line tells the story of urgency, creativity, and determination. These imperfections are not flaws - they record the physical strain of the printing process and reveal the urgency under which the 1916 Proclamation was produced
“The Proclamation is now engrained in our collective memory as a document of our national history. Despite being produced under intense pressure and in secrecy, this hastily printed document remains a powerful and enduring symbol of the independent Irish state,” states Dr John Borgonovo, University Historian and Senior Lecturer in the School of History at UCC.
Conserving for future generations
The 1916 proclamation at UCC, upon examination by UCC library’s Conservator, revealed deterioration from repeated efforts to protect it and clear signs of natural aging. Specialist conservation work at UCC Library has led to new research insights into Ireland’s 1916 Proclamation, unlocking fresh historical evidence while offering a tangible link to the past. Conservators documented the damage in meticulous detail, revealing clues to how this copy of the 1916 Proclamation was handled, old crease marks suggesting it was once folded small enough to be carried, possibly smuggled out of the GPO in a pocket. Conservation treatment has since stabilised the document, allowing for safe display and long-term preservation.
“Through exhibiting and stewardship of the proclamation, the library is further developing its vital role in fostering discovery, curiosity, innovation and connection in the university and the community,” states Liz Jolly, University Librarian, UCC.
'Printed in Defiance: Making the 1916 Proclamation' is a free exhibition open to the public at UCC’s Library from 24 April to 13 September 2026. For further details see the UCC Library website.