President's News

Visit of Duke of Devonshire to mark the donation of The Book of Lismore

28 Nov 2023
The Duke of Devonshire and his son Lord William Burlington with the UCC delegation

On 28 November the Duke of Devonshire and his son Lord William Burlington visited UCC to mark the donation of The Book of Lismore. We were delighted to have this opportunity to thank the Duke formally for very generously donating The Book of Lismore to UCC in 2020. This had not been possible at the time of the donation because of public health restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

UCC acknowledges the donation of The Book of Lismore by the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement with the support of His Grace, The Duke of Devonshire. The Book of Mac Carthaigh Riabhach, more commonly called The Book of Lismore, is our first folio, the first folio of Cork and of Munster. 

The Book of Lismore is at the heart of our learning, teaching and research programmes in the School of Irish Learning and it is almost certain, that this great medieval manuscript, created at Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, in a golden age of Irish literature, and considered one of the Great Books of Ireland, would have been lost but for the Cavendish family. We therefore thank them, not only for this immense gift, but also for your careful custodianship of this unique treasure.

In recent weeks The Book of Lismore has been on display in the Glucksman Gallery allowing the general public to view and learn about these great books in an educational context.

Guests gathered to celebrate the long and fruitful partnership bewteen the Cavendish family and UCC, and enjoyed lunch in the President’s Dining Room followed by a visit to the UCC Library Rare Books Reading Room where the viewed The Book of Lismore, The Great Book of Ireland and the UCC Photographic Collections

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