The current exhibition, Emperor of the Irish: Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf, involved months of work and collaboration with many different areas of the Library. Colleagues from the Manuscripts & Archives Research Library, the departments of Early Printed Books and Special Collections, Conservation and Preservation, Digital Resources, the Librarian’s Office and Visitor Services were all involved in the preparations. Specially commissioned artwork for the exhibition and publications was produced by the animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Kilkenny. Exhibition design services were provided by Vermillion and the whole endeavour was supported by a grant from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The exhibition is also accompanied by a booklet, online exhibition and various articles published by Dr Bernard Meehan and Dr Denis Casey.
January 2014
The launch of the Battle of Clontarf Millennium Festival in the Long Room by the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan. The Trinity College Library and National Museum of Ireland exhibitions were announced at this launch.
Initial meetings with animation studio Cartoon Saloon and designers Vermillion to discuss the shaping of the exhibition.
February 2014
Conservation work including repairs, dis-binding and mounting of exhibition items
Editorial work on text for labels, explanatory banners, online exhibition, booklet, posters and press release
March 2014
Photography of exhibits for online exhibition, to provide an accurate record of the exhibit, and inclusion in Digital Collections
Banner design drawings from Cartoon Saloon
April 2014
Installation
Curator ‘walk through’ talk for Library and Visitor Services staff
And finally, the launch
Estelle Gittins
Emperor of the Irish: Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf runs until October 2014.The exhibition is also available online.
Details of the Battle of Clontarf Millennium events are available at www.brianborumillennium.ie