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Minister Flanagan announces free release of ‘1916 Portraits and Lives’ eBook as a gift from Ireland to the world
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, today announced a centenary gift from Ireland to the world; a free downloadable e-copy of the Royal Irish Academy’s book “1916 Portraits & Lives”.
Announcing the gift of the eBook, Minister Flanagan said:
“I am delighted to make the Royal Irish Academy’s magnificent ‘1916 Portraits and Lives’ freely available as an eBook to the Irish at home, the diaspora abroad, and friends of Ireland everywhere. Its insightful biographies and striking images make it a fitting memento of the Ireland 2016 centenary commemorations.”
The book, a winner of the “Best Use of Illustration in Design” at the 2015 Irish Design Awards is a collection of 42 short biographies, accompanied by original illustrations by artist David Rooney, of the men and women whose lives helped to shape or were touched by the events of the Easter Rising. It is available to download until 31st March via www.dfa.ie and www.ireland.ie/portraits.
Minister Flanagan added:
“Next week, St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated around the world. I am delighted that in this year of the centenary of the Easter Rising, we are able to make this book available, in partnership with the Royal Irish Academy, as part of the Ireland 2016 Global and Diaspora Programme. I invite all those with an Irish background or interest in our country to enjoy this beautiful book as a gift from Ireland to the world.”
An exhibition based on the ‘1916 Portraits and Lives’ book is currently on display in New York; Buenos Aires; Cape Town; Rome and Canberra with the support of Ireland’s Embassy network.
Notes to Editors:
• The Royal Irish Academy’s book ‘1916 Portraits and Lives’ will be available as a free eBook download from 11th to 31st March with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland 2016 and the OPW.
• The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, led by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, T.D., is a year-long programme of activity to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future. Full details of the programme are available at www.ireland.ie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @ireland2016 #ireland2016