Nine Graces

The term "The Nine Graces" or Nine Muses referred to the nine women who were the first to be awarded degrees from the Royal University of Ireland in 1884.

[1][2][3][4] ... the long procession of hooded and gowned male graduates ... the girls coming last.

They looked exceedingly well in their black gowns, hoods lined with white fur and tasseled caps, even the plain ones, and the ordinary looking ones appeared to advantage ...

The Duke [of Abercorn] arose and made a rather long speech - quoted that hackneyed old line about 'sweet girl graduates'.

Jessie Twemlow, Marion Kelly, Miss Sands and the Chief [Isabella Mulvany] looked especially well; not a bit the typical blue stocking which I was glad to see, since Chief Justice Morris having only seen Alice Oldham, pronounced them 'an ugly lot'.