Author: ArtsyChowRoamer

Art in Ireland

DRAIOCHT GALLERY IN ADARE

Having found no galleries to pop into in Dublin or Ballyfarnon, I was determined to find one during the third leg of my recent trip to Ireland. Gallery hopping is a must if traveling with me and Draiocht proved to be a good place for exploring. This blog will share just a few reasons why.

I was immediately drawn to several different sculptures and began to snap some pics when my husband pointed to a no photography sign right as the owner of the gallery came out to question my motives.

I laughingly apologized for not having asked permission first and explained I was a writer and just wanted to blog about the gallery and artists.

We introduced ourselves and had a laugh over having to be guards of the realm to keep the poachers from stealing original artworks for knock off or print.

Andrew Timoney (one of the very likable and funny owners) regaled us with a recent story involving the police when one of his artists discovered just such a rip off. I started pointing out artists I liked so he could gather bios and tell me about their work.

THE SOULBOATS OF CLODAGH REDDEN

I drifted over to the “Soulboats” of artist Clodagh Redden, a sculptor living and working in West Cork.  Having won the prestigious Victor Treacy Award in Kilkenny in 1993, her works have been collected by three Presidents of Ireland, Hu Jintao, former President of China and Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State.

Having to leave behind the gift as required when she left her office, Hillary decided to purchase one for herself in 2012.  The themes used in Clodagh’s work are symbolic of a spiritual journey between life and death incorporating Celtic motifs, tonalities and mood.

PAINTINGS BY THE BARRETT SISTERS

The images above and below are the work of two sisters, Ailbhe and Louise Barrett. They are both painters of high merit and have exhibited widely around Ireland, the US and the UK.  Ailbhe recently won the Sean Keating Prize given by the Royal Hibernian Academy Exhibition held in Dublin.

I loved the soft layering and colors in her pieces with the sharp detailing that denotes her love of printmaking.  Louise seems to be more about sense of place with abstracted details in the under layering and a thicker painting style making it darker and moodier.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN WESSON

As I looked through a bin of photography by John Wesson, I was taken by a small image and bought it on the spot as the title made me laugh out loud; For Sale-Apply Within. It is a photograph of an abandoned property which the artist says there are many reasons for in Ireland; simply moving on, immigration, land usage changes or just burned out. He proves many are very photogenic and it comes with some sage advise as well; respect what you find, touch nothing and move on.

TREASURE SCULPTURES

I move on to the little sculptures of artist Mick Mulkerrin.  He was born to Irish parents and raised in Scotland where he first learned the steps to traditional sean nos dancing at age ten. By 1987 he was teaching the dance offering workshops throughout Ireland.

He is a former Irish champion and travels to North America to teach as well.  In 2008, he put his skills as a blacksmith to work crafting small works from horseshoe nails founding Carna Nailcraft Sculptures.  They are musical in nature showing figures playing all manner of instruments and immediately charm upon viewing.

COMING UP AT THE GALLERY

Andrew is planning a festival in the coming months with one of his painters, Henry Morgan. Henry is a graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design and completed a BA in Fine Art at Oslo University.  He is a full-time art teacher at Glenstal Abbey school and has exhibited all over the country.

He is a traditional landscape painter of merit.  He and Andrew hope to have over 30 artists painting outdoors in plein air style for the tourists and residents enjoyment around Adare.

After telling Andrew that I hadn’t found a lot of galleries so far on this trip he informed me that his gallery was the only fine art gallery in Limerick County.

Having gone through a similar economic experience as the US, Draiocht opened during the crisis while others closed and it has been thriving for over seven years now.

CONCLUSION

After leaving I realized I had forgotten to ask how to pronounce the name and what it meant so I went back and met another partner, Agnes Bertram Hay (equally interesting, funny and totally in love with my furry travel companion).

Don’t leave Adare and this gallery out of your itinerary for Ireland.  They are worth your time and attention and by the way; you will find something you can’t live without too!

If you like what you read, you might like more posts under Explore the World for more tips and hints. Hey, don’t be a stranger! Shout out if you got any questions about Ireland-happy to answer questions. Until next time…

Cheers,

ArtsyChowRoamer

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TO MY READERS: This post was updated with additional info, pics and video in 2/2020