Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, T.D., at the Launch of the Frank Ryan Bursary for the Institute of Designers in Ireland at the National Museum on Thursday, 1 February, 2007 at 2.15 p.m.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to be with you today to launch the Frank Ryan Bursary which is being established by the Institute of Designers in Ireland. This bursary will honour a man who during his lifetime played such a pivotal role in the development of design, and design education, in this country. It is also a major commitment to celebrating excellence and exploration among our emerging designers.
These days, the concept of design is so inherent to all aspects of our lives that it is hard to imagine a world without it. Whether it is a major building project, an exhibition, fashion or visual communication and new media, the quality of the design involved will have a major impact on the success of the end product. In essence, good design is a place where function and creativity meet.
Frank Ryan, who sadly passed away last year, embodied the best qualities of Irish design and left an enduring legacy to this country. When Frank started out studying Architecture and Commercial Art in Rathmines, design education in this country was virtually non-existent. In the intervening time, that situation has changed dramatically with recognised programmes across the full range of design disciplines. That is due in no small part to Frank and his dedication to the development of young designers. As a highly respected lecturer in the NCAD and Griffith College, he supported and influenced many young designers at the outset of their careers.
Frank was also a key figure in establishing design as a professional practice, particularly through the foundation of professional societies such as the Institute of Designers in Ireland. And in his own design work, Frank set the highest of standards in interior and exhibition design in this country. The quality of his work is legendary as was his attention to detail and his preference for uncluttered design. He summed up his own personal design philosophy in a memorable phrase – ‘Simplicity is not for the simple’. That is a motto that should hold for so many other walks of life!
I was honoured to meet with Frank on a couple of occasions at events down through the years when I saw examples of his work at the Botanic Gardens and in All Hallows. It was clear to anyone who met him just how dedicated he was and it was often said that if you had Frank Ryan working on a design for you, then you had nothing to worry about.
There are so many areas of achievement in Frank’s life that it is impossible to mention all of them here today. But I could not let this occasion pass without paying particular tribute to his contribution to culture and history in Ireland through his work on the design of no less than 26 interpretative and visitor centres in this country. Such was the extent of his involvement in this area that someone once remarked: ‘you could almost put a roof over all of Ireland and call it The Frank Ryan Experience’.
Those who knew Frank speak of his talent, his endless energy and his dedication to the cause of Irish design. And I am sure that during his lifetime he took great pride in the growth and development of design as a profession in this country. We now have more practising designers than ever before and internationally, Irish design has achieved cutting edge success in many areas.
The Institute is playing an important part in promoting high standards of design as well as professionalism and emphasising designers’ responsibility to society, to the client and to each other. Through initiatives such as Design Week, and collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, you have played a key role in targeting the business and design community across Ireland and have highlighted the business benefits of design. In addition, your Graduate Designer Awards have fostered the talent of young up and coming designers.
The Bursary that is being launched today is a significant new award for design students who wish to pursue an international educational opportunity or a design project overseas. The intent of the bursary is to provide assistance to cover travel costs, housing costs, materials and research. Its establishment will ensure that the major contribution of Frank Ryan to design in Ireland, his vision and his influence will be remembered and will live on. It is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to the profession. Of course, the sustainability of the Frank Ryan Bursary will be dependent on donations and I would urge all with an interest, and the design industry in particular, to support this worthy cause.
It is great to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Frank in the company of so many of his colleagues and his children, Aileen, Katy, David and Geraldine who are here today, along with Frank’s grandchildren and his great grandchild. Frank’s brother Tony is also here to mark the occasion as well as his sister Ailish who has travelled all the way from Canada especially for the event. This is an important and an emotional day for all of you and one in which you can take great pride.
Frank has contributed to so many aspects of the development of design in Ireland that it is hard to do him justice in one short speech. Thanks must go to all who have made today possible, especially Cameron Ross, President of the Institute of Designers of Ireland and designer Celine Cummins, who was Frank's colleague and close personal friend down through the years.
Thank you all for your kind attention.
ENDS