An explosive new book on the banned Harry Clarke stained glass window, created for the International Labour Court in Geneva in 1930, has sparked calls for the promotion of a West Belfast masterpiece by the famed artist.

'Exiled From Ireland' by Marie T. Mullan tells the tragic tale of how Harry Clarke, then one of the world's leading stained glass window designers, took on the onerous commission from the Free State Government to create a piece for the Court — only to see his stunning finished work honouring Irish writers slammed as "indecent".

As a result, the mesmerising six-foot-tall work was returned to Clarke by then President WT Cosgrave and was effectively barred from public viewing until 1988 when it was exhibited in London and acquired by the Wolfsonian Museum in Miami, Florida — where it now rests.

Harry Clarke, in ailing health and demoralised at the government snub, died shortly afterwards in January 1931.

Among the 15 revered writers whose presence on the window scandalised 'decent society' were James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, WB Yeats, John Millington Synge, Padraic Colum and Sean O'Casey. All had works banned under the Censorship of Publications Act 1929, introduced by the Free State government at the urging of the Catholic Church. 

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME: St Dominic's Convent with its imposing Harry Clarke masterpiece
2Gallery

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME: St Dominic's Convent with its imposing Harry Clarke masterpiece

"The Act," writes Marie Mullan, "prohibited the sale in Ireland of any book the censors considered obscene or morally corrupting; thousands of books were banned."

There are major works by Harry Clarke in St Malachy's College in North Belfast and in the now vacant St Dominic's Convent on the Falls Road campus of St Dominic's College. Additional works by the Harry Clarke studio and produced shortly after his death adorn the chapel in St Mary's College on the Falls. 

Tourism agency Fáilte Feirste Thiar, which promotes West Belfast as a visitor destination, has long trumpeted the presence of the artist's works in the area. "We're very proud of the fact that we have some of the finest examples of Harry Clarke's work in the very heart of the Gaeltacht Quarter," says Fáilte CEO Harry Connolly. "We have held tentative discussions with both St Mary's and St Dominic's, two West Belfast institutions in their own right, about how best to uncover this relatively hidden heritage for locals and visitors alike. There really are artistic jewels in the crown of West Belfast and I have no doubt but that this new book will spur further interest in these works."

While the windows at St Mary's College and St Malachy's are in prime conditions, it's though considerable monies would be needed to renew the rose window of St Dominic's convent.

Exiled from Ireland by Marie T. Mullan is available online from both No Alibis bookshop and from An Ceathrú Póilí bookshop in the Cultúrlann. Both are closed to visitors during the current lockdown.