MTU to enter creative partnership with Cork's St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Munster Technological University (MTU) and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork have announced details of a creative partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU will provide opportunities for MTU staff and students to engage with research activities regarding the cathedral.

This includes conservation, digital heritage and digital art, and to use the cathedral as a performative and exhibition space, named “Page Turner”.

The signing of the MoU is marked by an exhibition of artists’ books at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, which has been co-curated by Orla O’Byrne (St Fin Barre’s Cathedral) and Dr Laura Little (MTU).

Commitment

President of Munster Technological University, Professor Maggie Cusack, said that the partnership reflects MTU’s commitment to collaboration and community.

“By bringing together our expertise in the arts with the rich heritage of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, we are creating exciting new opportunities for our students, staff, researchers, and the public to engage with culture in meaningful and innovative ways.”

Professor Alistair Payne, dean of the faculty of Creative and Performing Arts and Media, said that MTU is focused on working on partnerships throughout the region, to strengthen engagement with the arts.

Dean of Cork Nigel Dunne said: “This exhibition has set the wheels in motion for further collaborative events between the cathedral and MTU, and I wholeheartedly support the initiative to work together more closely.”

Orla O’Byrne, curator at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral said that the Autumn exhibition invites visitors to spend time exploring selected artists’ books. “Artists’ books are a unique art form in which the artist uses the form of the book to express their ideas. It’s been fantastic to see the responses to this exhibition and how it engages with creative practitioners, artists, visiting tourists, students and parishioners of this cathedral.”