On the occasion of the eight-hundredth anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, the Embassy of Italy in Ireland and the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin present The Nativity Scene: The Legacy of St Francis of Assisi through Italian Design and Irish Craftsmanship.
The project, developed by the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin and designer Andrea Vecera, artistic curator of the exhibition, is presented by the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Ireland, OPW – Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí/Office of Public Works, and DCCI – Design & Crafts Council Ireland. The exhibition will be on display at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, from 4 October 2026 to 6 January 2027.
The exhibition is conceived as a tribute to one of Saint Francis’ “inventions”: the presepe, or Nativity scene. It consists of a collection of unique Nativity scenes, offering a diverse vision of this religious representation – not only as a spiritual symbol, but also as a profound and intimate part of Italian culture.
Internationally renowned Italian designers have been invited to reinterpret the Nativity through their own personal vision, using a variety of materials, with a particular emphasis on natural materials characteristic of the Irish landscape.
The designers’ projects have been brought to life by Irish craftspeople selected by DCCI – Design & Crafts Council Ireland, fostering a fruitful exchange between the creative excellence of the two countries.
Through this cultural dialogue, the exhibition aims to promote values deeply associated with the figure of St Francis, including solidarity, the sharing of knowledge, a sense of belonging to the community, and a spirit of collaboration.
The exhibition will be available for visits from 4 October 2026 to 6 January 2027:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday: closed
- Wensday: 10:30am-4:15pm
- Thursday: 10:30am-4:15pm
- Friday: 10:30am-4:15pm
- Saturday: 10:30am-4:15pm
- Sunday: 10:30am-4:15pm
