Royal Irish Academy

Royal Irish Academy
Visual Arts in Cork

Founded in 1785, the Royal Irish Academy (Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann) is Ireland's pre-eminent society of scholarship and culture. It's role (inter alia) is to promote Irish excellence in scholarship, recognise achievements in learning, and direct research programs in areas relating to Ireland - including Irish art and culture.

Membership of the Academy (MRIA) is restricted to residents of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Candidates - typically with high quality published achievements - must be nominated by five Academicians, and thereafter undergo a rigorous, peer-reviewed selection procedure. Current members include scholars, artists, scientists and writers from around Ireland. Membership is by election, usually after the proposed member has published a noted scientific or scholarly work. Those elected are permitted to use the letters MRIA after their names. International candidates may be awarded honorary membership of the Academy.

Since 1951, the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) the academy has been based in Dawson Street in the centre of Dublin. Its extensive library holds several priceless Irish manuscripts (eg. Lebor Gabála Erenn, Book of the Invasions of Ireland) including some early Celtic masterpieces (eg. Cathach of Colmcille [560 CE]), although some of these have now been transferred to the National Museum of Ireland. The history of Irish art is indebted to the Academy for helping to secure several unique Celtic treasures (eg. the Petrie Crown and the Broighter Collar) for the State.

The Royal Irish Academy is run by the RIA President and Council, who are responsible for the Academy's general government. They are elected each year at the Stated Meeting on 16th March. Usually, the President serves a three year term of office. The membership of RIA Council is drawn from the Sciences and Humanities sections. The Council formulates policies, develops and recommends candidates for membership.

Royal Irish Academy Senior Officers 2006-2007

Officers
J.A. Slevin President
J.R.H. Ross Treasurer
H. Clarke Secretary
J. Conroy Secretary, Polite Literature and Antiquities
D.J. Fegan Secretary, Science
J. Corish Secretary, International Relations
A.D.H. Mayes Senior Vice-President

For more information, contact The Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Telephone: (+353) 01-676-2570.

For more information about the Academy’s response to requests for expert views, please contact its Senior Research and Policy Officer, Ms. Sinead Riordan. Telephone: (+353) 01-609-0604.

• For facts about the art industry in Ireland, see: Irish Art: Visual Arts Cork.

• How to Update This Mini Review of Royal Irish Academy.