Ireland: The Matter of Monuments - by Colleen M Thomas & Paula Murphy (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this collection, art historians, archaeologists, historians and heritage practitioners explore Irish public monuments from the medieval to the modern era. Taking a new approach to the field, the volume integrates discussion of early Irish monumental work with that of the modern period, situating all Irish monuments on a continuum of shared concerns.

Book Synopsis

This collection considers Irish monuments from the medieval to the modern era. The essays presented here acknowledge the plurality of values associated with Irish monuments. Taking a holistic approach to the topic, the volume contains contributions from art historians, archaeologists, historians and heritage practitioners. The multidisciplinary and intersectoral contributions are placed in dialogue with one another, providing a discussion of Irish monuments that is unique in its comprehensiveness. The integration of research on early Irish monumental work with that of the more modern period, situating all Irish monuments on a continuum of shared concerns, is a significant pioneering element in this field. The range of perspectives represented in the book reflects the complexity of cultural heritage in contemporary life and opens the conversation to include a wider range of views. It will be a valuable resource for scholars, students, learned societies, public bodies, communities in Ireland and for anyone interested in sculpture.

An Open Access version of Kathleen James-Chakraborty's chapter 'New states and old statues: Ireland's monuments in an international context' is available on the Liverpool University Press website.

Review Quotes

'Addressing topics as diverse as the design of the plinth to the replica cross, and exploring the shift from sites of communal devotion to symbols of division and oppression, the editors of this book have brought together a series of essays that enable new and exciting perspectives on the role, function and significance of monuments in Irish and international contexts.'

Niamh Nic Ghabhann, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Limerick

'This insightful collection of research reflects on the importance of rethinking monuments for contemporary society. Stitching the past into the present, the writers draw timely attention to the variety of cultural heritage in shared public spaces. Exploring the complexities of the fabric of Ireland's monuments, this book offers a series of connections between Ireland's past, current international heritage practices and the makers of future monuments.'

Niamh Ann Kelly, Head of Art and Visual Culture, Technological University Dublin

About the Author

Colleen M. Thomas is an art historian with expertise in the monumental sculpture of early medieval Ireland and Britain.

Paula Murphy is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Art History and Cultural Policy at University College Dublin, from where she retired in 2015.