- Eye-opening exhibition on Irish emigration into mainland Europe.
- Highlights all aspects of the Irish abroad from 1600 to 1800.
- Ideally suited as an "appetizer" for further studies.
- Interesting and intelligent presentation.
- Might be too shallow for the serious enthusiast.
- Presentation relies heavily on documents and portraits and might let down those expecting artifacts.
- Text- and image-based exhibition on emiation from Ireland to continental Europe.
- Shows all aspects in a nutshell, from the cleric to the courtesan.
- Not an exhaustive exhibition in itself, rather a primer to whet your appetite.
- The niche dedicated to Marie-Louise O'Murphy deserves praise as the most inviting area.
Migration as a theme in Irish media and pubs boils down to two issues these days - illegal immigrants and fear of job losses. From a realistic view of the benefits gained to rampant xenophobia every variety of opinion can be found. And now the exhibition "Strangers to Citizens" reminds us that migration has always been an issue - with the Irish making their mark in Europe from 1600 to 1800 as learned churchmen, ferocious warriors or even famed courtesans.
The latter point is amply illustrated by one of the most notorious nude portraits in history - that of Marie-Louise O'Murphy, lover of the French king. Her well-rounded figure certainly stays longer in the memory than the more conventional portraits, like that of Field Marshal Francis Maurice Lacy, fighting for Austrian Empress Maria Theresia in the 18th century. Or of Abbess Lady Joseph Butler, a marked contrast in modesty.
The exhibition focuses on many aspects - from Franciscans adding to European ecclesiastical learning to the "Wild Geese", Irish mercenaries fighting for Europe's Catholic monarchies. Many of the keeping their Irish identity. And some complaining that they are never really accepted - a sentiment echoing many a modern immigrant's feelings in Ireland today.
The exhibition, though relying on images, documents and narrative rather than a hands-on approach, is a good primer to this aspect of Irish history. Maybe not exciting for anyone with a passing interest. Maybe too superficial for those with a serious interest, but they can start here and continue their research in museums nearby.
A last minor point of criticism is the location - the Heraldic Museum, though literally down the road from the National Library, is not really obvious and the Yeats exhibition at the library proper is far better advertised ...
