Jane Austen & Maria Edgeworth: The Friendship Postcards

A remarkable UK–Ireland creative collaboration celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday is coming to the Midlands of Ireland.

The Friendship Postcards Exhibition brings together more than 800 creative postcards by young people aged 13–18 from 35 schools across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Each postcard offers a fresh interpretation of the theme “Friendship”, inspired by excerpts from Jane Austen’s novels, the work of her Irish contemporary Maria Edgeworth, and illustrations from the National Library of Ireland’s Prints & Drawings Collection.

The exhibition showcases a rich variety of artistic styles – including writing, printmaking, drawing and painting – as students respond to these classic texts and reimagine their themes for today’s world.

Developed in partnership with British Council Ireland, British Embassy Dublin, and the National Library of Ireland, the exhibition highlights the enduring relevance of Austen and Edgeworth for new generations.

Following its debut in Dublin and a showing at Jane Austen’s House in England, the exhibition now arrives in Edgeworthstown, County Longford – the home place of Maria Edgeworth.