‘The Rose Window’

Presented to principal, Mr. Patrick Macbeth, of Ursuline Secondary School, by the Cork Ursulines Past Pupils’ Union - December 2019

Commission Specifications

The goal of this painting was to pay homage to the iconic building which is the old Ursuline Convent by featuring aspects of its architecture, the picturesque tree-lined avenue, the fountain, and grounds of the school. In addition to this, the people who make the Ursuline Secondary School, past and present will be represented. As the painting calls for a number of different scenes and perspectives, a device has to be created that will facilitate these items to sit together cohesively. It was agreed that a ‘stained glass window’ could be a good device for these purposes, in that, it would allow creative freedom to place objects and scenes side that side that may otherwise conflict.

Stained glass windows are familiar to those of us that attended school in the old building. The chapel has many and even features two pieces by world-renowned Irish artist, Harry Clarke. 

Medium - Oil on canvas 

Dimensions - 1 x 1.2 m 

Date - December 2019

The Climb

St Angela Merici, 1474 - 1540, founded the Company of St Ursula in Cresica Northern Italy in 1535. It was her dream to provide education and training for girls. The Ursulines reached out from Italy to France initially and ultimately have been successfully involved in creating education opportunities for women across the globe.

In 1754/1755 Nano Nagle opened her first school in Cork, with a passion to improve the education and lives of Catholics in Ireland. In 1765, with the encouragement and assistance of Fr. Patrick Doran and his nephew Fr. Francis Moylan, she expressed her desire to secure her schools with the institution of a religious order who would perpetuate her work after her death, however the Penal Laws against Catholics were still in active operation under British Rule. Nano and Fr. Francis Moylan  persisted, and after many challenges, the Ursulines arrived at ‘the Cove of Corke’ in 1771, from France.

The bottom left panel of the painting tells a story. 

There is a progression from sea to land to represent those who came before us and ‘climbed’ their way. 

“Pleasant Fields”

Blackrock on the Lee is one of the oldest fishing villages in Ireland and was known for its salmon fishing. 

Also the home to Blackrock Castle which was originally constructed in 1582 to protect the area.

In 1825 the Ursulines moved to Blackrock, into the Georgian mansion known as ‘Pleasant Fields’. 

One of the most arresting features of the house (which is now a listed building) is a decorative oval window, fondly referred to as ‘the Rose Window’

The Rose Window

‘The Rose Window’ is synonymous with the old Ursuline Convent building in Blackrock.

It is a well recognised and loved feature for many past pupils. Some remember sitting next to it in class and some remember actually boarding in that room where the large oval window looks out over Cork harbour, others will remember it coming in to view as they walked the tree-lined avenue to the school.

.A window represents opportunity and beginnings.  

In paying homage to our alma mater, ‘the rose window’ is a great place to start.

The Boarders

Boarder’s made their home at ‘Pleasant Fields’ in Blackrock up until 1980.

Apart from the rose window itself, other aspects of the building that spark nostalgia include the conventual bell, the oversized key and the large brown front door 

And of course the fountain where many year photos were taken ...

The Fountain

Behind a mound of shamrock the fountain sits  at the bottom centre of the composition. 

Water flows from it as source to feed other elements of the picture.
To the left, the journey of St. Angela, Nano Nagle and the first Ursulines.
To the right, the river Lee, Cork harbour and the landmark that is Blackrock Castle.

The Tree-lined Avenue

Glowing trees surround the centre rose window drawing the eye into the painting.  

This really is one of the most notable features as you approach the Ursuline Secondary School. I personally used to walk up that avenue every day. 

The foliage on the left and right above the banner are a mixture of trees that grow on the tree-lined avenue; sycamore, beech, elm, and chestnut.

Also featured are the leaves of laurus nobilis, the tree featured on the Ursuline crest. 

Ursuline Secondary School

On the right of the composition is the external wing of the new school, showing the round room, the porch, St. Michael’s church in the background with St. Joseph’s statue in front.

Bright orange Montbretia sits in the foreground, a flower that is native to Africa and grows abundantly in Ireland. This symbolises the connection of the current student body to their ongoing Ursuline/Kenyan Immersion Project where Ursulines continue to improve the lives, and offer education to many girls.

“Qui ad justitiam erudiunt multos fulgebunt quasi stellae in perpetuas aeternitates”
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.