Art Exhibitions

All Exhibitions are open 2–5 pm daily unless otherwise stated and admission is free unless otherwise stated.

BIRR CASTLE DEMESNE
(Demesne admission charges apply)

Agnes Conway (Dublin)
Sculpture, Monumental Theatre, performers and audience.
(ongoing)


German Photographic Society
A collection of photographs from around the world.
Pavilion, Birr Castle Demesne
(ongoing)

Ramond Moen (Australia/Kildare)
The focus of this exhibition is to present a combination of Australian and Irish rural landscape impressions which gives the viewer access to a combination of experiences across two very diverse landscapes. Both landscapes may be easily recognizable to many, given the numbers of Irish who have gone and returned to Australia over the years since the 1800’s. Ramond’s Australian & Celtic Landscape interpretations demonstrate a meticulous attention to the detail of the landscape.
Birr Castle Tearooms

BIRR COMMUNITY NURSING UNIT
Birr Community Nursing Unit residents exhibition
Exhibition of work by residents, facilitated by artist Jackie Lynch as part of an initiative by Offaly County Council in association with Health Services Executive and The Arts Council.

BIRR LIBRARY
Map Exhibition – An Atlas of Birr
An exhibition of 12 maps detailing the town of Birr. Drawn from the unique publication, An Atlas of Birr by Dr. John Feehan & Lady Alison Rosse, the exhibition shows a special selection of maps from 1610 to the present day illustrating the changing geography of the town. This exhibition is of great interest to map enthusiasts, historians, teachers and students. The book on which the exhibition is based is available from bookshops and may also be consulted at the library.
Use of maps in Festival Programme by kind permission of authors.
Birr Library, John’s Mall • Open: Library Hours Fri & Wed 3–5.30pm & 7–9pm; Sat 10.30am–1.30pm; Tue & Thu 10.30am–1.30pm & 3–5.30pm

BIRR TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
(Office Hours)
AIB Press Photographers Association of Ireland Exhibition
Some of the most innovative and imaginative press photographs from the past year make up the prestigious AIB PPAI exhibition.

Official opening: Mon 14 Aug 6.30pm

John Gillen (Birr/Dublin)
John attended NCAD but subsequently pursued a career in banking. He has resumed his career in art since 2001, when he availed of early retirement. Recipient of the Pauline Bewick Bursary in 2002, John has exhibited at The Cobalt and 101 Talbot Street, Dublin, and most recently a solo exhibition at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre. He is a member of the Botanic School of Art. John works in watercolour and specialises in still life / botanical subjects and portraiture.

Tatiana Bondareva (Belarus & Birr)
Tatiana works primarily in oil pastels depicting scenes of Irish life and landscape.

David Begley (Dublin)
Fresh from studying and travelling in Spain, David returns to Ireland to exhibit at this year’s festival with his wonderful collection of paintings before travelling to Melbourne, Australia with his art pieces.

Declan O’Meara (Rathcabbin)
An up and coming artist, Declan has exhibited in Limerick, Galway, Cork and Tipperary. Here, the honors graduate from Limerick College of Art and Design exhibits a series of photos and accompanying video. For more information contact declanom@gmail.com

OPW Art of the State exhibition Reflections is the ninth exhibition of Irish art organised jointly by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Office of Public Works. The exhibition includes recent examples of painting, print-making and sculpture in both representational and abstract modes, reflecting what is happening in the vibrant contemporary art scene in Ireland.

Official opening by Minister Tom Parlon at 7.30pm, Saturday 10 August

Martin Cox(Birr)
Graduate in graphic design, Martin has been painting and drawing for as long as he can remember. He is influenced by Dali, Vallego and Giger and has a strong interest in fantasy and celtic as well as photography, catwalk fashion, comic illustrations and animation. Martin will have several oil paintings on display during this exhibitions.

Jessica Foley (Kilcormac)
Jessica Foley is a Graphic Designer and Art Teacher currently working in Dublin. Foleys work focuses mainly on photography and image making. She plans to continue her studies at Goldsmiths University London in the Autumn.

BIRR THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE
Jackie Lynch (Birr)
Following on the success of her two most recent exhibitions ‘Okonomiyak’ and ‘Tazipango’, Jackie brings us another taste of Asia with an exhibition of handmade paper created in Kyoto, Japan entitled Tuozai.
Suas an Staighre at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre • Mon-Fri 1-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 4-6pm

BIRR UNION WORKHOUSE
Pauline Rowan (Dublin)
This award-winning artist will also exhibit a collection of photographs, paintings and drawings in a separate venue.

Sorcha O’Rathallaigh (Birr)
Sorcha O’Rathallaigh (Birr) The general perspective of fashion design consists of mere fabric and a sewing machine. In this exhibit Sorcha’s work explores different fashion media, to illustrate the similarities rather than the differences between fine art and design.

BLAZER’S, DOOLY’S HOTEL
<>Philomena Nicholl (Tullamore/Dublin)
A self-trained artist, interested in new methods for artistic expression, Philomena uses ribbon fabric as a medium to interpret and represent occasions and milestones in the artist's life.

THE CHESTNUT
(Pub hours)
Nicky Larkin (Birr)
Nicky recently completed his degree in Fine Art in Galway with First Class Honours. His exhibition is comprised of photographs taken over the past year exploring Birr Union Workhouse.

COUNTY ARMS HOTEL
Magill Fine Art Summer Exhibition
A collection of paintings from Russian artists, presented by Magill Fine Art (Dublin).
Maple Room ~ Open: Mon – Fri only

Aileen McGovern (Belfast / Cork)
Aileen Mc Govern studied Fine Art at The National College Of Art and Design in Dublin. She has been living and working in The Netherlands for the past 10 years and is now based in Cork where she has just finished her new exhibition "Lost In The Birch Bark”. She also paints children’s illustrations.

Kate Walsh (Clonmel)
Following on her delightful 2005 show, more whimsical pieces based on a childhood remembered.
FESTIVAL OFFICE, EMMET SQUARE
Pauline Rowan (Dublin)
Last year Pauline Rowan presented Market Exchange, a community collaborative performance in the form of a swap market. This year’s Exchange will be held in the festival office in Emmet Square

Paul Murnaghan (Dublin)
Memorious is Paul’s latest enquiry into human interaction calling for our participation in a simple but provocative way. In offering to sell part of his memory capacity, a monument* to the recollections of any interested party is created. Individuals that wish to preserve the memory can respond to an advert in local press in advance of the Festival. Let it sink in! Choose and question the value of certain memories, then meet with Paul where the memorious content will be communicated and stored in the artist’s brain. A text version of the memory will be wax sealed inside of a certificate of authentication. The sole copy will be offered to the purchaser as a precise record of the content of the described recollection. By Murnaghan's advertising his memory space to a consumer, the selected memory is subject to the value you deem appropriate. *Monument fee is determined by purchaser.
(See local press and www.birrvintageweek.com for further details.)

HANNIFFY’S
Dervla Duffy (Birr)
Photographs and paintings inspired by 12 months traveling in India & Southeast Asia.

JOHN’S HALL John’s Mall
Offaly Arts and Crafts Association (OACA)
This exhibition includes works from Cathal Barber (jewellery), Dawn Bevans (stained glass), Kieran Brennan (paper mache), Karl Gill (furniture), Steven Goldsmith (rustic furniture), Hazel Greene (artist), Ross Hathaway (metal), Linda Kelly (slate), Rosemary Langtry (artist), Richard Parish (fused glass), Linda Wharton (ceramics). Contact: Hazel Greene 0505 47025/087 2889616.

KEELS’ ARCH (beside XtraVision)
Nick Ward and Caelan Bristow (Birr & Canada)
Clop developed as a response to Birr’s historical background as a centre for the shoe-making industry. The site for the installation refers to the former location of an adjacent shoe store, run by the Lyndon family.

THE MALTINGS
Fabiano Mulas (Italy/Galway)
An exhibition of series of images inspired by landscapes in his native Sardinia. More specifically an abandoned mine in an area known as Baccu Loci which had once served as the main economic lifeblood of the area. The paintings are drenched with the shimmering almost misty light of Mediterranean Summers.
MASONIC HALL
Elaine Mackey
Elaine graduated from GMIT Art College in 2004, with an hons degree. While studying there she engaged with different media and processes exploring her concerns through drawing, photography, live performance and formal sculpture. These practices and principals have now become the basis for her art practice. She has further evolved her practice to involve painting. Elaine’s work is about balance, colour and emotion.

RIVERBANK RESTAURANT
(ongoing)
The Old Schoolhouse Gallery
Open Restaurant Hrs (Call 057-9121528)

SCURRAGH COMMUNITY CENTRE
Group Show By local artists & children of Camcor Park /Scurragh Community

SPINNERS
Yvonne Claffey (Birr)
Yvonne attended Limerick College of Art & Design. Yvonne works primarily in acrylics and batik while her new collection takes it’s inspiration from the wild flowers of the woodlands and hedgerows.

TIN JUG STUDIO
Gallery & Garden
Open: Sat 12th – Fri 18th • See gate for times.
Wood Carvings by Derek Fanning (Birr)
‘Abroad’, Sketches & Photographs by Rosalind (Birr)
Christopher O’Donoghue(Birr) present with portfolio works and portraits to commission in the studio! Face & Figure: selected drawings & paintings by other local artists.
Opening Evening at TJS: Saturday 12th August, at 8pm. Exhibition Viewings; Informal Readings by Local Poets (B.Y.O.P!); Refreshments. (Info 057 9121818)

The Exhibition Trail continues…see more exhibitions & artists in Emma’s Café Deli, County Arms Hotel, Hanniffys, Spinners, Bank of Ireland, Blazers in Dooly’s, shop fronts on Main Street…For further details check venues or festival office or log onto: www.birrvintageweek.com