Published In: Visual Artists’ News Sheet (VAN)
Issue: March – April 2026, Issue 2
Author: Brenda Moore-McCann
Source Credit: Visual Artists’ News Sheet — Visual Artists Ireland
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Published in the March–April 2026 issue of Visual Artists’ News Sheet, this article by Brenda Moore-McCann reflects on the Rome presentation of The School of Hibernia, a landmark contemporary artwork by the Irish collective Na Cailleacha.

Originally conceived in Dublin, the project reinterprets Raphael’s School of Athens through a feminist lens, replacing its canonical male figures with 41 contemporary women from across disciplines including art, science, politics, literature and activism. Captured in a large-scale photographic tableau by Ros Kavanagh, the work functions both as a reimagining of art history and a powerful collective portrait of female achievement.

The Rome iteration, organised by Ireland–Italy Projects and co-founded by Jane Adams, formed part of the celebrations for St Brigid’s Day, Ireland’s female patron saint. Hosted in the crypt of the Chiesa Santa Brigida in Piazza Farnese, the programme included a symposium featuring leading figures such as Professor Arnold Nesselrath, Catherine Marshall, Professor Rachel Moss and Caroline Campbell, among others.

Discussions explored themes ranging from revisions of art historical narratives to the role of women in science and cultural production, reflecting the interdisciplinary spirit of the project. The event continued at Cinema Farnese Arthouse with a series of performances, screenings and discussions, including the premiere of Rootstock (2024), a documentary tracing the evolution of The School of Hibernia.

As highlighted in the article, the work stands as both a critical intervention into the patriarchal structures of Western art history and a celebration of contemporary women shaping cultural and intellectual life today.