b'IN THE LATE 1700S A GROUP OF IRISH ARTISTSPETITIONED THE THEN VICEROY, EARL TALBOT, FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THEIR WORKS ANNUALLY. THE REQUEST WAS GRANTED ANDWAS BORN. THE ROYAL HIBERNIAN ACADEMYTODAY THE ACADEMY HAS EVOLVED AND GROWN INTO AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL BODY IN IRELAND THAT SUPPORTS CONTEMPORARY ART AND ARTISTS THOUGH EXHIBITION, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY. CONNECT MAGAZINE VISITED THE ACADEMY ON ELY PLACEIN DUBLIN TO MEET DIRECTOR PATRICK T. MURPHY ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 185TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION.connect2015 | 45'