Page last updated: Thursday, September 14, 2023

Part of the Celebrating a Century series, King’s Inns in collaboration with The Bar of Ireland launched the joint ‘In Plain Sight’ portraiture initiative in November 2021.

In Plain Sight seeks to celebrate the achievements and enhance the visibility of women in the field of law that demonstrated significant leadership, influence and contribution to legal practice and education. 

We aim to achieve this by commissioning additional portraiture of female subjects that will hang in the buildings at The Bar of Ireland and King’s Inns, as appropriate, in plain sight.

Commissioning the Portraits 

Currently, there is a notable under–representation of female subjects displayed in the collections of The Bar of Ireland and King’s Inns despite the existence of numerous influential women in law.

This joint initiative aims to commission additional portraiture of female subjects from the profession and judiciary, to hang principally along with the existing collection at King’s Inns. 

The 2023 Commission: Portrait of Frances Moran SC, the first female Senior Counsel across Ireland and Britain

The artist and sculptor Vera Klute was the 2023 artist commissioned. Vera followed in the inaugural commission, undertaken by Sligo–based artist Emma Stroude of Averill Deverell and Frances Kyle, who were the first women call the Bar.

The 2023 Commission was of Frances Moran SC, who became the first female Senior Counsel in 1941, across both Ireland and Britain. In addition, Frances was one of the first female law lecturers in the State and a Reid Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin.

Learn more about Vera Klute here > 

The commission was unveiled at King’s Inns on Thursday, October 19. 

 Learn more about the portrait here >

Sara Phelan SC, Chair of the Council of the Bar of Ireland alongside artist and sculptor Vera Klute and Hugh Mohan SC, Chair of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, unveil the 2023 In Plain Sight commission of Frances Moran SC. Conor McCabe Photography.

The 2022 Inaugural Commission

Artist Emma Stroude was announced as the 2022 In Plain Sight recipient. Emma completed a commission of Frances (Fay) Kyle BL and Averil Deverell BL, who were the first women to be called to the Irish Bar in 1921 following the enactment of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, 1919.

Emma was chosen following a selection process and in consultation with the Director of the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA).

Amongst her various exhibitions both here and abroad, Emma was the 2021 Winner of the Irish Arts Review Ireland–U.S. Council Portraiture Award (pictured). Her work can be viewed at emmastroude.com.

Portrait of Frances Kyle BL and Averil Deverell BL, first women called to the Irish Bar

On Tuesday, July 26, 2022, the first portrait commissioned as part of the In Plain Sight initiative was unveiled. It is a double portrait of Frances Kyle BL and Averil Deverell BL in oil, based on documentary material and research undertaken by the artist Emma Stroude in close conjunction with historian Liz Goldthorpe, librarian Renate Ní Uigin and CEO & under treasurer Mary Griffin of King’s Inns. 

Artist Emma Stroude is pictured above with Maura McNally SC, Chair of Council of The Bar of Ireland, and Hugh I Mohan SC, Chair of Council of The Honorable Society of King’s Inns

At the unveiling of the portrait, Hugh I Mohan SC, Chair of Council, The Honorable Society of King’s Inns, said;

“This initiative continues The Honorable Society of King’s Inns’ investment and commitment to the visual arts, as mode to communicate the heritage of the institution and profession, as well as its contemporary understanding.

That we are only now commissioning a portrait of the first female barristers underscores the work that needs to be done in terms of a more representative portrayal of the profession. I look forward to seeing a continuation of this fantastic initiative in the years to come.”

Learn more about the portrait here.

Accepting Contributions

In Plain Sight is intended to be a multi–annual initiative. Donations are welcome through the below link from students, members and alumni of King’s Inns as well as the wider public.

To learn more about the In Plain Sight initiative and to make a donation, please visit lawlibrary.ie/inplainsight.