accenture's women on walls at ucc

Artists are invited to respond to an open call to win a commission to complete either an individual or a group portrait of trailblazing women connected to the Munster region who have contributed to the betterment of society.

Following a public call for subject suggestions earlier this year, UCC has announced the 11 women who will feature in the portrait series. They are as follows:

Individual portraits

• Edna O’Brien (1930-2024), novelist, memoirist, playwright, poet and short-story writer.
• Joanne O’Riordan, sports journalist, disability activist, motivational speaker, and student of law.
• Honora ‘Nano’ Nagle (1718-1784), pioneering educator, defender of the poor and founder of the Presentation Sisters religious order.

Group Portrait

• Brigid Carmody, Coordinator of Cork Traveller Women's Network, a grass-roots community organisation that works for Traveller rights, leadership, culture and heritage.
• Mary Crilly, feminist activist and founding member and CEO of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.
• Dr. Myra Cullinane, medical doctor, barrister and Senior Dublin District coroner who held the Stardust inquests.
• Dr. Evelyn Grant, musician, broadcaster, educator, arts advocate, social entrepreneur and co-founder of the Cork Pops Orchestra.
• Dr. Naomi Masheti, psychologist, three-time UCC graduate and Programme Director of the Cork Migrant Centre.
• Dr. Patricia Sheahan, consultant palliative care physician and head of palliative care at University Hospital Kerry.
• Caitríona Twomey, volunteer co-ordinator of Cork Penny Dinners, a charity that offers food and support to anyone in need.
• Dola Twomey, therapist/activist at the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.

Over 600 Munster women were nominated for the project, and the subjects were chosen by a selection panel of UCC staff and student leadership.

Business to Arts is managing the artist selection and commission process on behalf of Accenture and UCC and will be the primary liaison for artists through to the delivery of this landmark commission.

When completed, the artworks will join the UCC Art Collection and will be exhibited in the historic surrounds of UCC’s Aula Maxima.