Cork university unveils portraits of 11 trailblazing Munster women

University College Cork (UCC) has unveiled a new series of female-focused portraits as part of the Accenture Women on Walls exhibit.

The portraits of 11 trailblazing women from, or with links to, the Munster region include faces such as Edna O’Brien, Joanne O’Riordan, and Nano Nagle.

The collection was officially unveiled this week at a ceremony in UCC’s Aula Maxima, where the portraits will now be displayed as part of the UCC art collection.

More than 600 submissions were received in 2024 following a call for nominations, with the 11 subjects then selected by a panel of UCC staff and student leaders.

The commissioned portraits were created by Irish-based artists Gerry Davis, Vanessa Jones, Vera Klute, and Julianne Guinee, selected following a competitive open call for artists led by Business to Arts.

The 11 women are Edna O’Brien, Nano Nagle, Joanne O’Riordan, Brigid Carmody, Mary Crilly, Myra Cullinane, Evelyn Grant, Naomi Masheti, Patricia Sheahan, Caitríona Twomey, and Dola Twomey.

UCC president, Professor John O’Halloran, said the university is “deeply proud to unveil these portraits of extraordinary women at UCC”.

“Each of these trailblazers has shaped our society with courage, conviction, and a vision for a more inclusive and just world,” said Prof O’Halloran. 

“They have broken barriers, challenged convention, and redefined what leadership looks like.

“By placing their portraits at the heart of our campus, we honour their remarkable legacy and reaffirm our commitment to inspiring future generations to lead with purpose, compassion, and courage.”

Accenture Ireland managing director and inclusion and diversity lead Michelle Cullen said the exhibit is “about who we see, and who we celebrate, in our public institutions”.

“Too often, women’s contributions go unseen and uncelebrated,” she said.

“These magnificent portraits of 11 remarkable Munster women help redress that imbalance.”