Ulster University’s Coleraine campus marked National Poetry Day on 1 October 2026 with the launch of a specially commissioned text and textile exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of former lecturer and researcher John Springhall.
Hosted in the campus library and organised by Conflict Textiles curator Roberta Bacic, the event featured the event featured the unveiling of the textile portrait, Sure and Steadfast, created by textile artist Lorna Gough, alongside a poetry reading by Ulster University alumna Niamh McNally, whose work was inspired by Springhall’s life and work.
The unveiling of the new textile and associated poetry reading marked the culmination of an extensive research process into John Springhall’s archive. Through the support of Sarah O'Deorain, Special Collections and Archives Officer at Ulster University, the artists were given the opportunity to explore the John Springhall collections and archives held within Ulster University’s Special Collections and Rare Books. This research enabled Lorna Gough and Niamh McNally to capture John’s persona and bring it to life through their respective art forms.
Titled Sure and Steadfast, the textile/mixed media arpillera finds the quiet voice of the prolific English Lecturer John Springhall, who taught and researched youth culture, colonisation and decolonisation at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus from 1970 to 2004. During his academic career, he authored six books and established a reputation as a pioneering scholar in the field of colonisation and decolonisation studies.
The textile, or arpillera, will become part of the internationally recognised Conflict Textiles collection. The collection is mainly comprised of arpilleras, quilts and wall hangings, all of which explore themes of conflict, social justice and human rights abuses.
Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University, unveiled the portrait and welcomed guests to the event. He explains:
"This exhibition is a wonderful example of how archival collections can connect past and present, and inspire new creative work while encouraging us to reflect on the people and ideas that have shaped our University community.
“Through the talent of Lorna Gough and Niamh McNally, John Springhall's contribution as a scholar, educator and thinker has been brought to life in a unique and meaningful way, and it is particularly fitting that we celebrate this work on National Poetry Day.”
The textile and accompanying poem emerged from research into John's legacy preserved within the Special Collections and Rare Books holdings at Ulster University's Coleraine Library.
The poem and textile can be seen in the Coleraine campus library until 31/03/2027 along with the main Conflict Textiles display.
Photo caption:
Photographed at the launch of the specially commissioned textile portrait and poetry reading, inspired by the legacy of former lecturer and researcher John Springhall and held in Ulster University’s Coleraine campus library, are (from left to right): Professor Malachy O'Neill (Director of Regional Engagement, Ulster University), Sarah O'Deorain (Special Collections and Archives Officer (Ulster University Library), Lorna Gough (textile artist), Roberta Bacic (Conflict Textiles Curator) and Niamh McNally (Poet).
