13 Sep 2006

'Stories in Stone' - Minister O'Donoghue to launch exhibition at University College Cork (UCC)

Minister John O'Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism will today (13 September 2006) open an exhibition of the unique collection of ogam and carved stones at UCC.  The exhibition called 'Rúin na gCloch / Stories in Stone' is the result of a major conservation, research and exhibition design project.

The 28 UCC Ogam stones are the largest collection on display in these islands and are a priceless part of the national heritage.  Ogam is the earliest source of the Irish language, the oldest recording of Irish personal names, and the earliest real evidence of Irish scholarship and learning.
   
Ogam inscriptions are statements of identity and genealogy cut into stone and date from the 5th to the 7th century AD.  Ogam stones are found in Ireland and Britain but are concentrated mainly in Munster.  UCC also has several carved stones on display, dating from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages, which illustrate some of the ritual, religious and practical uses of stone through the ages.

Since the middle of the 19th century, the stones have been housed in UCC's Stone Corridor, known to generations of students and one of Cork's premier heritage attractions.  Some years ago the University decided that a permanent, high-quality exhibition would be created to preserve the stones and make them more accessible. A specialist report commissioned by UCC with the support of the Heritage Council identified the issues involved and confirmed the need for a conservation plan.

Under the plan, for which permission was received from the National Museum, the Heritage Service and Cork City Council, the Stone Corridor has become an exhibition area for the collection, with custom-made fittings for each stone, fibre-optic lighting, information in Irish and in English and a touch-screen multimedia unit.
 
UCC President, Professor G. Wrixon in congratulating everyone involved in the project said "'Stories in Stone' is a fitting presentation of the largest collection of ogam on open display anywhere.  The stones are presented and protected as never before and this exhibition will support the continuing efforts of UCC as we work to secure the university's heritage, to develop appreciation of it, and especially to add to the student experience here."

Also in the Stone Corridor is UCC's new Visitors' Centre where students and visitors can get information, directions to university services and purchase gifts and souvenirs of UCC.  The Centre also provides guided tours of UCC's many heritage attractions, including the Crawford Observatory, the acclaimed Honan Chapel and of course the original 19th-century neo-gothic buildings set in UCC's beautiful grounds.

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