UCC Library until 13 September 2026
A new exhibition at University College Cork (UCC) shines a light on the story behind one of Ireland’s most iconic documents, focusing not on its words but on the people who made its existence possible. Before it could be read aloud, it had to be printed—quietly, urgently and at immense risk. To commemorate the 110th anniversary of its printing, Printed in Defiance: Making the 1916 Proclamation explores the extraordinary circumstances under which the Proclamation was created in the days leading up to the Easter Rising.
This free exhibition at UCC Library is centred on an original first-issue copy of the Proclamation that was brought from the GPO in Dublin by what is believed to have been the youngest member of the garrison. The Proclamation was generously donated to UCC by philanthropists Liam and Kaye Cronin, who also made a gift to Cork University Foundation to support students, at undergraduate and Ph.D level, from under-represented socio-economic backgrounds. Liam Cronin said:
‘It has always felt important to me that this Proclamation should have a home in Cork. For a document so central to the story of our Republic, it seemed only right that it be shared more widely, especially in UCC, where history, learning and public access come together. I have long believed that without Cork there would not have been a Republic, and this is a small way of recognising that connection … Seeing the careful conservation work that has now been undertaken only reinforces that this was the right decision. Knowing that the Proclamation is now preserved to the highest standard, and made accessible for future generations of students, researchers and the public, gives me great confidence that it will continue to educate and inspire long into the future.’
Kerry Bryson, CEO of Cork University Foundation, said:
‘We are deeply grateful to Liam and Kaye Cronin for their extraordinary generosity in gifting this important national document to UCC through the Cork University Foundation. Their decision ensures that the Proclamation is not only safeguarded but also shared, enabling us to engage with a defining moment in our history in a meaningful and lasting way.’
The exhibition reveals how a small group of printers, working with limited type and faulty machinery and under the constant threat of arrest, brought the document into being. Their work transformed a revolutionary idea into something tangible, portable and dangerous. In the aftermath of the Rising, when possession of the Proclamation was evidence of rebellion, the risks did not end. The exhibition also highlights the courageous decision to preserve a copy rather than destroy it. Safeguarded through a period of fear and uncertainty, this copy survived and was passed on as a responsibility to future generations. Today UCC Library continues this responsibility. ‘The Proclamation is now engrained in our collective memory as a document of our national history. Despite being produced under intense pressure and in secrecy, this hastily printed document remains a powerful and enduring symbol of the independent Irish state,’ said John Borgonovo, Senior Lecturer in UCC’s School of History.
The UCC exhibition foregrounds the quiet courage, skilled labour and critical decisions that ensured that the Proclamation endured. It invites visitors to reflect on how fragile heritage is made, protected and remembered. Every variation in ink, every altered letter and every incidental line tells the story of urgency, creativity and determination. These imperfections are not flaws—they record the physical strain of the printing process and reveal the urgency under which the 1916 Proclamation was produced.
This copy, upon examination by UCC Library’s conservator, revealed deterioration from repeated efforts to protect it and clear signs of natural aging. Specialist conservation work has led to new research insights into Ireland’s 1916 Proclamation, unlocking fresh historical evidence while offering a tangible link to the past. Conservators documented the damage in meticulous detail, revealing clues as to how this particular copy was handled. For example, old crease-marks suggest that it was once folded small enough to be carried, possibly smuggled, out of the GPO in a pocket. Conservation treatment has since stabilised the document, allowing for safe display and long-term preservation. ‘Through exhibiting and stewardship of the Proclamation, the library is further developing its vital role in fostering discovery, curiosity, innovation and connection in the university and the community’, stated Liz Jolly, University Librarian, UCC.
Further details at https://libguides.ucc.ie/library.