Event Details
Text & Textile: Unveiling of the Arpillera by Lorna Gough and Poem by Niamh McNally (Photo: Clem McCartney) |
| Unveiling: | Text & Textile: a tribute to John Springhall |
| Description: | The tribute to John Springhill takes place on 1st October 2026 in the context of National Poetry Day. The theme for this year is WONDER.
John bequeathed his books and publications to Coleraine Library, Ulster University where they are held as part of the Special Collections and Rare Books: Other small collections. He also left some funding to Flowerfield Arts Centre in support of the arts.
Taking inspiration in the present Conflict Textiles display of textile portraits, Conflict Textiles curator Roberta Bacic wondered what he was like and commissioned textile artist Lorna Gough and poet Niamh McNally to bring John to life for us via their textile and poetic language.
Thanks to Sarah O'Deorain, Special Collections and Archives Officer at Ulster University, they had the opportunity to dive into the archives, which led to key people who knew him at the time and have given us insights into John's persona, beyond the material legacy. We have found out that he was a pioneer in writing and researching about Colonization and De-Colonization.
Professor Malachy O'Neill, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University, welcomed this initiative from the very start and will be with us to unveil the portrait, listen to the poem and to welcome all who join us on this relevant occasion.
This event is the final activity as part of the current exhibition 'Textile Portraits' at the Library in Coleraine Campus. |
| Commissioned by: | Conflict Textiles |
| Date(s): | 1st October 2026 - 31st March 2027 |
| Venue: | Library, Coleraine campus, Ulster University
Coleraine Campus Library (Top Floor Main Building) |
| Curator: | Roberta Bacic |
| Facilitator: | Sarah O'Deorain, Special Collections and Archives Officer |
| Outcome: | |
| Documents: |
• Tribute Poem by Niamh McNally - Poster - view
• Unveiling Invitation - view
• Keepsake Bookmark - view
• Sure and Steadfast Label - view
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