The Royal Hibernian Academy was founded in 1823 and it has experienced some tricky moments in its subsequent history. On occasion, it’s very survival has been in question.

These days certainly qualify as a tricky historical moment. Not only does the academy have to cope with a recession that impacts directly on funding and sales, and that has stalled some of its plans and activities, it also finds itself lumbered with a substantial capital debt. While it may not help that the debt relates to the substantial revamp of its Ely Place HQ, at least the revamp has been extremely successful in terms of the quality and functioning of the building. Continue reading →