Tabula – A Journey Through Notre-Dame de Paris comes to St Mary’s Cathedral

The French Embassy in Ireland is bringing TABULA, A Journey Through Notre-Dame de Paris, to Limerick as part of a nationwide tour.

As part of Irish Design Week 2025, from November 17 to 21, Tabula – A Journey Through Notre-Dame de Paris comes to St Mary’s Cathedral

The French Embassy in Ireland is bringing TABULA, A Journey Through Notre-Dame de Paris, to Limerick as part of a nationwide tour.

Tabula Limerick, which will take place in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, 20 November from 17:30 to 21:00, has been organised in collaboration with Limerick Civic Trust.

Centred on the creation of the new visual identity of Notre-Dame de Paris, developed by French designer Laurent Ungerer and his studio c-album, this special programme explores how design, heritage and technology intersect in the rebirth of one of the world’s most iconic monuments. It is a unique celebration of French creativity, design and digital innovation.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

Conceived in collaboration with the Diocese of Paris, and unveiled the day after the cathedral’s reopening, Tabula is a groundbreaking “walk-talk” performance by Laurent Ungerer.

On tour in France and abroad until 2030, Tabula will offer Limerick and the wider region a rare opportunity to witness how history, art, spirituality and innovation converge in shaping Notre-Dame’s future. It offers an immersive experience that reveals the creative and spiritual challenges of reviving one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, through the practice of graphic design, exploring symbolism, writing systems, light, colour and new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Visitors to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick will be treated to an interactive Walk-Talk guiding visitors through this journey, blending history, spirituality, and cutting-edge design. Presented as a performed conference, it uses eight large books inspired by medieval manuscripts, animated live by designers under the direction of a “master of time.”

Tabula will be delivered as 5 one-hour sessions, with each session welcoming around 20 participants who move through three themed tables — each revealing a different facet of the cathedral’s new visual identity This innovative format will immerse the audience in the aesthetic and spiritual challenges of such a project.

Alongside the Walk-Talks, Laurent Ungerer and collaborator Raphaël John will engage students and participate in roundtable discussions.

Also included in this event will be a showcase of local examples of historic structures being restored or brought back to life, presented by Co. Clare company, Irish Natural Stone (INStone), who have a long-standing history of collaboration with Limerick Civic Trust through educational initiatives and restoration projects. Both INStone and Limerick Civic Trust look forward to gaining a deeper insight into the restoration of Notre Dame through the TABULA presentation, and hope that it will inspire promising outcomes for the future restoration of St. Munchin’s Church on King’s Island.

Welcoming Tabula to Ireland, French Ambassador to Ireland Céline Place said, “The rebirth of Notre-Dame de Paris is not only a symbol of France’s resilience, but a celebration of solidarity, creativity and craftsmanship. Through Laurent Ungerer’s work Tabula, we are proud to share with Irish audiences how design and innovation can bridge heritage and modernity — a dialogue that reflects the enduring friendship between France and Ireland.”

Laurent Ungerer, graphic designer and founder of c-album, added, “We are delighted to present our work in Ireland, a country home to wonderful masterpieces that, in many ways, inspired the Notre-Dame ProJet. Irish Design Week offers us the opportunity to share this journey, which highlights the importance of heritage as a contemporary cultural issue. Continuing the story is what drives us.”

Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland commented, “At Design & Crafts Council Ireland, we are delighted to continue our collaboration with the French Embassy in Ireland, this time focusing on the wonderful work of Laurent Ungerer and his studio c-album, through the project A Journey Through Notre-Dame de Paris — Tabula. It is a wonderful addition to the Irish Design Week programme and resonates perfectly with this year’s theme – “the ties that tie and the links that link”. Strengthening the ties between Ireland and France is an important endeavour as we move toward Ireland’s EU presidency in 2026 and Ireland’s role as “Country of Honour” at Révélations Paris in 2027.”