6 February 2016: Opening of ‘James Stephens, the National Gallery of Ireland, and the 1916 Rising’, National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, Dublin 2

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On 6 February the National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, opened a new exhibition entitled ‘James Stephens, the National Gallery of Ireland, and the 1916 Rising’. James Stephens (1880-1950) came to fame with The Crock of Gold (1912), a story for children of all ages, creating ‘a world of rich fantasy’. He went to Paris in 1912, and in 1915 became Registrar of the National Gallery of Ireland. During Easter Week 1916 Stephens witnessed the fighting around St. Stephen’s Green and soon after published an account of his observations, The Insurrection in Dublin. The exhibition is based around this seminal chronicle of the Easter Rising in which Stephens mentions encounters with friends – many of them well-known cultural and political figures. Included in this display will be a portrait of the author by Patrick Tuohy, as well as images of some of the individuals mentioned in his book, such as Douglas Hyde and Thomas Bodkin. A depiction of O’Connell Street after the Rising by artist Edmond Delrenne (fl.1915-1918) will also feature. A first edition of Stephens’ book will be the focal point of the display. Admission is free and the exhibition runs until 24 April 2016.

Learn more about Stephens and read the text of The insurrection in Dublin.