Glasgow University library will open to the public this summer for exhibitions celebrating the life and work of two of Ireland's greatest writers, James Joyce and Samuel Beckett.

Funded by the Irish Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and supported by the Consulate General of Ireland to Scotland, the exhibitions have been shown across Europe to celebrate Irish culture and highlight the importance of these celebrated writers.

The exhibitions also add a further dimension to the commitment of Irish Studies in the University to reach out to the local community and to the public at large.

Glasgow University lecturer in Irish Literature, Paddy Lyons, said: "These exhibitions highlight how Irish literature and culture have won for this small nation such large standing in the wider world."

The James Joyce exhibition will run from 11 June to 20 July 2007 and the Samuel Beckett exhibition will run from 23 July to 31 August 2007. The exhibitions will be held in the Glasgow University library and are free and open to the public. Tours of the library including the level 12 viewing gallery looking over the city of Glasgow will also be available.

Kate Richardson (K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For more information please contact Kate Richardson at the University of Glasgow?s Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 8 June 2007