A queen’s welcome: Victoria’s stormy affair with Ireland

IF Queen Elizabeth deigns to come to Cork during her State visit to Ireland, they may have to do a bit of heavy lifting at UCC. A statue of her predecessor, Queen Victoria, once held pride of place on the roof of the college’s Aula Maxima when it was Queen’s University Cork.

In the 1940s the tribute to Her Majesty was unceremoniously dumped as too much for republican sensibilities by the college’s president, Alfred O’Rahilly. It might also have been payback from O’Rahilly as he had been twice held at the Sovereign’s Pleasure.

Her likeness now lies adjacent to the staff common room, which, of course, means that the staff can enjoy tea with the queen whenever they like. A photograph on UCC’s website shows Victoria taking a back seat to the Liam McCarthy Cup.