William B. Stanford (1982-1984) and Francis Joseph Charles O’Reilly (1985-1998) and most Pro-Chancellors since. This ornate gown dates from around 1982 and therefore has already given the university nearly 40 years of service. ‘Any design that we came up with had to be given the stamp of approval by the college, not just the administration, but the academic community as well so the involvement of the Art History Department was key. The new gown has elements of the existing gown and those worn by the Chancellors in the late 1800s. The shoulder wings are embroidered with the university arms and the Brian Boru harp in the Long Room, reflecting the distinctive heritage of Trinity. The sorrel flower, often associated with the shamrock, added for the first time is also a nice convergence of things that are going on in college today - the election of the first female Provost and second female Chancellor in the university’s history, and important campus agendas such as biodiversity and climate change actions.’ The work was delayed by nearly ten months because of the pandemic, but the quality of the robe did not suffer. The excellence of the craftsmanship can be seen in every aspect including the tailoring of the black damask fabric, the hand-embroidered shoulder-wings and its exquisite gold ornaments. The project has resulted in a uniquely beautiful robe that Andrew hopes will celebrate the rich history of Trinity gowns and also mark a period of renewal as the college emerges from the pandemic and in-person commencements begin again. Bearing witness to the most significant milestone in a student’s life, it is particularly apt that the conversation to replace it began between Andrew and a student. Once again, Trinity is Inspiring Generations . Click here for a history of the Two Design Traditions © Rev Kenneth Crawford - Robes of Distinction Click here for more photos
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