For Heritage Week 2026, step behind the scenes of Printed in Defiance: The Making of the 1916 Proclamation with UCC Library Conservator Louise O'Connor. This special Heritage Week tour explores the dramatic story behind one of Ireland's most iconic documents, from the events leading to the Easter Rising to the challenges faced by the printers who produced the Proclamation under immense pressure and secrecy.

Visitors will discover how UCC Library transformed historical research and original copy of the Proclamation into an engaging public display. Learn about the people, printing techniques, materials, and circumstances that shaped the creation of the Proclamation, and gain fresh insight into a pivotal moment in Irish history.

The tour will also offer a rare glimpse into the work of a library conservator. Through a hands-on materials table, visitors can examine specialist conservation tools and materials, including Japanese repair papers, brushes, and adhesives, and learn how fragile historical documents are repaired, preserved, and prepared for exhibition. There will be opportunities to ask questions, explore the conservation process, and discover how cultural heritage collections are cared for and protected for future generations.

This event is ideal for anyone interested in Irish history, printing, archives, museums, conservation, and the fascinating stories hidden behind library collections.

Image by Ryan De La Cour. Image shows Louise O'Connor and Luca De Cilladi examining the Proclamation.