Françoise Henry and the history of Irish art

Françoise Henry, 1902-82, MRIA, was an archaeologist and art historian and one of the first women elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy. Born in Paris she graduated from both the École du Louvre and the Sorbonne. After her first visit to Ireland in 1926 the study of early Irish metalwork and decorative stone carvings became the focus of her career; she taught, travelled and excavated, and published in Ireland, England and France. Henry documented her research and left an important collection of papers to the Academy.

Our exhibition of handwritten notes, journals, sketches and photographs illustrates the breadth and enduring legacy of Henry’s contribution to the study of early Irish art. ­

Read the latest Library Blog post 'A French art historian in Ireland' by Peter Harbison, MRIA. 

Listen back to the Library Lunchtime Lecture by Dr Eileen Kane 'Françoise Henry at UCD: Towards a history of Art History in Ireland' 

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm, except on conference days. See Library landing page for exceptions. Free admission. No individual booking required. Group bookings please contact: library@ria.ie / 01-6090620