The most comprehensive study of Irish art and architecture ever undertaken is being launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny this weekend.
The Royal Irish Academy's "Art and Architecture of Ireland" is in five illustrated volumes and took six years to complete.
It is the work of ten editors and over 2,500 contributors.
It explores 1,600 years of Irish art and architecture from the medieval period to the year 2000 - from high crosses to installation art, from Georgian houses to illuminated manuscripts, from watercolours and sculptures to photographs, oil paintings, video art and tapestries.
"This firmly establishes Ireland's visual culture as a fundamental pillar of our cultural identity and it scotches the notion that Ireland has little or no visual culture," said Professor Mary E Daly, President of the RIA.
Sets of the five volumes, which are available to buy for €400 have been donated to libraries across the country.
