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Irish politics and the Arts Council
Kevin Rafter

  • Wednesday 9 November 2022
  • 7.30pm

In English

Admission free, reservation recommended

Book tickets

Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the first meeting of the Arts Council comes a new book – Taoisigh and the Arts – that looks afresh at major political figures in post-1922 Ireland through the work of writers such as Kate O’Brien and Brendan Kennelly, and visual artists like Robert Ballagh and Edward McGuire. Tonight, Professor Kevin Rafter, author of the book and Chair of the Arts Council, examines the legacy of national leaders W.T. Cosgrave, Eamon de Valera and Charles Haughey, and considers the priority these politicians placed on the arts during their time in office.

‘This is a page turner, a riveting read full of personal and historical detail that wears its knowledge lightly, anecdotal and forensic by turns’ – Marina Carr