Irish all-female reboot of Raphael’s ‘School of Athens’ fresco goes on tour to Rome
From Artemisia Gold
30th January, 2026
An Irish art project depicting a full-scale re-enactment of Raphael’s The School of Athens fresco with an all-women cast comes to Rome to celebrate St Brigid’s Day
Devised by the art collective Na Cailleacha the image, entitled The School of Hibernia (after Raphael), features women of Ireland from a variety of age profiles and backgrounds. Among them are the first woman President of Ireland and first woman Provost of Trinity College Dublin, and 39 other women – all leaders in their fields.
The image will be presented at a symposium hosted by Na Cailleacha in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland, Italy, and Ireland-Italy Projects. The event will take place in the crypt of St Brigid’s Church, Piazza Farnese, Rome on Monday, February 2nd, 2026 – the day after the Feast of St Brigid.
Speakers at the event will include curator of Na Cailleacha Catherine Marshall, former Deputy Director of the Vatican Museum Collections Professor Arnold Nesselrath, Caroline Campbell, first woman Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, and Trinity art historian Professor Rachel Moss.
The event will be followed by the premiere of Rootstock: The making of The School of Hibernia (after Raphael) 2024 by Therry Rudin at Cinema Farnese Arthouse.
The re-creation of an icon of Renaissance art was designed to challenge patriarchal attitudes to knowledge and education as well as the art history canon, explains curator of Na Cailleacha Catherine Marshall.
“We talk about the visibility of women a lot in the visual arts and are rightly critical of the art historical canon. Raphael’s School of Athens fresco is a powerful illustration of how pervasive patriarchy is in all aspects of life. Na Cailleacha decided to bring living women together to celebrate all the ways in which they have challenged history in a fun and provocative way. Response to the project has been extraordinary since it was announced in 2024 and we are now delighted to be presenting the work in Rome – the home of The School of Athens.”
Ambassador of Ireland to Italy, Elizabeth McCullough said: “The Embassy of Ireland is proud to support Na Cailleacha and Ireland-Italy Projects in bringing this thought-provoking work to Rome, the home of Raphael. St. Brigid’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to highlight and celebrate the many achievements of women in Ireland and around the world. This event will allow us to reflect on the significant progress attained since The School of Athens was created, and the important work that remains to ensure full equality for women in today’s world.”
The participants in the School of Hibernia were selected by Na Cailleacha and include first female Irish president, Mary Robinson; the first female Provost of Trinity, Linda Doyle; writer Melatu Uche Okorie; poet Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin; and thought leaders Sinéad Burke, Saoirse Exton and Sindy Joyce. All have led change in Ireland across a wide range of disciplines from social equality, racial justice, and climate activism to the arts, sciences and sport.
The tableau was staged in the Museum Building in Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with the University’s History of Art and Architecture Department on March 9th, 2024 – the day after International Women’s Day. Art history, film and drama students from Trinity assisted in staging and production.
Prof. Rachel Moss from Trinity’s Department of History of Art and Architecture added: “The School of Hibernia marks a moment in female achievement that would have been inconceivable at the start of Na Cailleacha’s careers. This play on the patriarchal canon of art history is now on display in several universities and is still enjoying international publicity. For students about to embark on their own careers, it is a celebratory reminder that the shoulders of giants are no longer all male.”
Brenda Moore-McCann and Jane Adams of Ireland-Italy Projects said: “We are enthusiastic about a project that vividly contrasts Irish contemporary culture with an icon of Italy’s Renaissance.”
Cailleach is an Irish word meaning witch, divine hag or wise woman. Na Cailleacha is an art collective of six visual artists: Helen Comerford (1945–2024), Barbara Freeman, Patricia Hurl, Rachel Parry, Therry Rudin, Gerda Teljeur; jazz musician Carole Nelson, and curator/writer Catherine Marshall, who have come together to explore being female and being older creatives.
Image: The School of Hibernia (after Raphael). 2024. Credit: Na Cailleacha