PHOTOGRAPHED JUNE 2025
SPHERE WITHIN SPHERE AT THE EAVAN BOLAND LIBRARY [TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN]
The "Sphere Within Sphere" sculpture at Trinity College Dublin is a striking landmark, and the library it stands in front of, formerly known as the Berkeley Library, has undergone a significant name change. This renaming reflects a broader movement within academic institutions to critically re-evaluate historical figures and their legacies.
Why it was named the Berkeley Library:
The library, opened in 1967 as the "New Library," was officially named the Berkeley Library in 1978. It was named after George Berkeley, an influential Anglo-Irish philosopher and Bishop who was a former Librarian at Trinity College Dublin. Berkeley published some of his most important philosophical works while at Trinity in the 1700s, and he is widely recognised for his theory of "immaterialism" or "subjective idealism," which posits that physical objects do not exist independently of being perceived. His contributions to philosophy were, and still are, considered significant.
Why George Berkeley has fallen out of favour:
George Berkeley has fallen out of favour due to the revelation and increased scrutiny of his involvement in slavery and his racist views. Research conducted by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group (TLRWG) confirmed that Berkeley:
Owned enslaved people: During his time in Rhode Island in the late 1720s and early 1730s, Berkeley purchased and owned enslaved Africans, including individuals named Philip, Anthony, Edward, and Agnes, to work on his plantation.
Advocated for slavery: Beyond simply owning enslaved people, Berkeley is documented as having argued in favour of slavery, including in sermons, and held discriminatory attitudes towards Native Americans and the Irish peasantry. He believed that the religious conversion of enslaved people would make them "better slaves."
Trinity College Dublin concluded that the continued use of Berkeley's name on its main library was inconsistent with the University's core values of human dignity, freedom, inclusivity, and equality. The decision to remove his name was driven by student protests and a comprehensive review process.
The name change:
In April 2023, Trinity College Dublin's University Board voted to "dename" the library, effectively removing George Berkeley's name. For a period, it was simply referred to as "The Library" or "The X Library."
Following a public consultation process and deliberations by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group, the library was officially renamed The Eavan Boland Library in October 2024. Eavan Boland was an acclaimed Irish poet and alumna of Trinity College Dublin, celebrated for her work that foregrounded women's experiences in Irish poetry and challenged traditional narratives. This renaming marks a significant milestone as it is the first building on Trinity's city-centre campus to be named after a woman.
The "Sphere Within Sphere" sculpture at Trinity College Dublin is a striking landmark, and the library it stands in front of, formerly known as the Berkeley Library, has undergone a significant name change. This renaming reflects a broader movement within academic institutions to critically re-evaluate historical figures and their legacies.
Why it was named the Berkeley Library:
The library, opened in 1967 as the "New Library," was officially named the Berkeley Library in 1978. It was named after George Berkeley, an influential Anglo-Irish philosopher and Bishop who was a former Librarian at Trinity College Dublin. Berkeley published some of his most important philosophical works while at Trinity in the 1700s, and he is widely recognised for his theory of "immaterialism" or "subjective idealism," which posits that physical objects do not exist independently of being perceived. His contributions to philosophy were, and still are, considered significant.
Why George Berkeley has fallen out of favour:
George Berkeley has fallen out of favour due to the revelation and increased scrutiny of his involvement in slavery and his racist views. Research conducted by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group (TLRWG) confirmed that Berkeley:
Owned enslaved people: During his time in Rhode Island in the late 1720s and early 1730s, Berkeley purchased and owned enslaved Africans, including individuals named Philip, Anthony, Edward, and Agnes, to work on his plantation.
Advocated for slavery: Beyond simply owning enslaved people, Berkeley is documented as having argued in favour of slavery, including in sermons, and held discriminatory attitudes towards Native Americans and the Irish peasantry. He believed that the religious conversion of enslaved people would make them "better slaves."
Trinity College Dublin concluded that the continued use of Berkeley's name on its main library was inconsistent with the University's core values of human dignity, freedom, inclusivity, and equality. The decision to remove his name was driven by student protests and a comprehensive review process.
The name change:
In April 2023, Trinity College Dublin's University Board voted to "dename" the library, effectively removing George Berkeley's name. For a period, it was simply referred to as "The Library" or "The X Library."
Following a public consultation process and deliberations by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group, the library was officially renamed The Eavan Boland Library in October 2024. Eavan Boland was an acclaimed Irish poet and alumna of Trinity College Dublin, celebrated for her work that foregrounded women's experiences in Irish poetry and challenged traditional narratives. This renaming marks a significant milestone as it is the first building on Trinity's city-centre campus to be named after a woman.