Trinity officially named the Eavan Boland Library this week, in honour of the renowned Irish poet and Trinity alum.  

At an event in the library foyer, attended by Trinity students and staff, family and friends of Eavan Boland, and members of the literary community, Linda highlighted the importance of this moment in Trinity’s history, with the Eavan Boland Library being the first building on Trinity’s city-centre campus to be named after a woman. She also spoke of how fitting it is that the library building, which was met with much criticism when it first opened in 1967 due to its brutalist architecture, is now named after Eavan Boland, who broke boundaries and explored radical ideas through her poetry.

Librarian and College Archivist, Helen Shenton, addressing a seated audience in the Boland Library foyer.

Other speakers on the evening included Chancellor Dr Mary McAleese; College Librarian & Archivist, Helen Shenton; and poet Paula Meehan, all of whom spoke of Boland’s important contributions to Irish poetry and her role in amplifying women’s voices in Irish society.

Linda speaking at a podium in the Boland Library foyer. The audience is partially visible in the foreground. 
Linda speaking at the event.

A multimedia exhibition illustrating the process that led to the new name was showcased on the evening, along with an outdoor display on Eavan Boland and her work, including a projection of her poetry on the library’s facade. 

The following evening, an ‘In conversation’ event was held in the Public Theatre with poets Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Katie Donovan and Victoria Kennefick, celebrating the life of Eavan Boland, and exploring the impact and influence of her work on each of the speakers.

Chancellor Mary McAleese and Poet Paula Meehan standing beside a plaque which commemorating the naming naming of the Eavan Boland Library.
Chancellor Mary McAleese and poet Paula Meehan unveil a plaque commemorating the naming of the Eavan Boland Library.