Not for the first time, Prof Anne Crookshank raised hackles on Wednesday when she unveiled a Derek Hill portrait of the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Robert MacCarthy. Formerly professor of art history at Trinity, Crookshank railed against clergymen who were little better than "vandals" in carrying out all sorts of ill-advised alterations to the churches in their care.
Quite a few clergymen were present to hear her booming out the message that many of them needed education in art and architecture, so that they would be better able to appreciate historic buildings - just like the Dean himself, she might have added. At this point, the Dean intervened to recall what was said of one rector called Knox at his funeral. "The Reverend Knox was wonderful - at least he did nothing!" As for the portrait, Dr Crookshank commented: "It's more Derek than you."