The Cork Decorative & Fine Arts Society (CorkDFAS) has announced more details of its programme of lectures for autumn/winter 2015/2016.

On November 4th, Mary Jane Boland, a lecturer in the History of Art Department at UCC, will give a talk entitled Constructing Identity? Art and Patronage in Ireland 1800-1830. On December 2nd, calligrapher and printmaker Kevin Honan will give a lecture entitled The Spirit and the Letter: Pilgrims, Books and Wild Ink.

Events in 2016 include a talk on on February 3rd on the designs in the Honan Chapel by James Cronin of the School of History and Adult Continuing Education in UCC; on March 2nd, Michael Waldron, author, researcher, lecturer in UCC, will give a talk on The Most Palatable Irish Holy Alliance of Pope and Prince: A History of Cork's Canova Casts (which are currently displayed in the Crawford Art Gallery); on April 6th, Jennifer McCrea, head of audience development and engagement in the Irish Heritage Trust, will give a lecture entitled Reading the Walls: The Stories that Historic Wallpapers Reveal which is linked to a private tour of Fota House. On May 4th, Tom Dunne, professor emeritus in UCC, will talk about sculptor Oliver Sheppard and his work, The Death of Cúchulainn, in the GPO in commemoration of the Easter Rising.

The society, which “promotes the advancement and study of the decorative and fine arts and the conservation of Cork’s artistic and cultural heritage”, also organises visits to places of interest and opportunities for members to volunteer for appropriate conservation activities.

For information, see corkdfas.ie.