Trinity College Dublin to rename main library after a woman (for the first time in 432 years)

One of the foremost women in Irish literature, Eavan Boland is a renowned poet known for her many collections of poetry, her memoir—Object Lessons—and her work as a lecturer both at home and over in the US. 

Now being honoured with a building on the Trinity campus being renamed after her, the decision comes after a period of research, analysis and public consultation overseen by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group (TLRWG).

Wonderful news!

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The main library at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has been renamed after Irish poet #EavanBoland!

It is a great time to share my favourite Boland poem – fittingly called The Moment”.

The end line, fabulous!
Apples sweeten in the dark pic.twitter.com/Fnu6CBKNxU

— Paul (@Loverdesart) October 9, 2024

In April 2023, the college removed George Berkeley’s name from its main library—the largest library on campus—due to his links with slavery in the 18th century. Born in Co. Kilkenny, Berkeley attended Trinity in the 1700s and was a celebrated philosopher, scientist and Anglo-Irish Anglican bishop as well as a former librarian at Trinity.

Opened in 1967, the library was named in his honour in 1978. According to a post on the official TCD website, Berkeley published some of his most important philosophical works while at Trinity. However, he also bought slaves – named Philip, Anthony, Edward, and Agnes Berkeley – to work on his Rhode Island estate in 1730-31 and sought to advance ideology in support of slavery

A statement from college officials said that the continued use of George Berkeley’s name was “inconsistent with the University’s core values of human dignity, freedom, inclusivity, and equality” with provost Dr Linda Doyle later adding that “the landscape of a university, especially one as old as Trinity, is not static”. “Each generation of students and staff deserves a chance to influence decisions. In this case, it was our students who called on us to address the issue.”

The building has simply been known as ‘The Library’ since then.

In September 2024, the TLRWG identified several options for the renaming of the library, with their preferred recommendation being The Eavan Boland Library. 

Absolutely thrilled and incredibly honoured that @tcddublin have decided to name their main library after our mother Eavan Boland. It is a wonderful recognition of her accomplishments as an Irish poet but also will hopefully inspire countless future generations of trailblazers… https://t.co/C3ilmUl9TY

— Eavan Casey (@CaseyEavan) October 9, 2024

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Speaking of the decision, Doyle described it as a “fitting recognition of Eavan Boland’s poetic genius”. “Eavan’s poetry is well-known across the generations, and her outstanding artistic contribution to highlighting the role of women in Irish society is widely appreciated,” she continued, later thanking those who participated in the process that led to this latest development.   

The Eavan Boland Library will be the first building on Trinity’s campus to be named after a woman. 

Feature image by Stephen Bergin on Unsplash