Gerard Howlin: There must be an Irish republic of the arts

Creativity is so omnipresent, the ways in which art is transposed so inventive, we are unaware how immersed we are

Culture minister Catherine Martin and Catherine Heaney, chair of the National Museum of Ireland, at the launch of Glendalough: Power, Prayer, and Pilgrimage, the first new exhibition to open at the museum since Covid-19. Picture: Julien Behal

The only place left to go in a lockdown, is inward, on a journey of the mind. There is no mountain so high as to compare with the scope of imagination. 

As winter gathers in, there is kindling to be collected. Lit, it provides light and warmth. Gathered around, it is company and community.