My walls are littered with art work. I try to be restrained, but if there is a space on a wall, I am instinctively trying to fill it with something lovely that will inevitably make me smile on my way up and down to the laundry basket 15 times a day! As the daughter of a pretty spectacularly talented ceramic artist (not biased at all) – I have an appreciation of art in it’s many forms. For a small country, we have an incredible pool of talent when it comes to Irish art. So in a bid to share with you some of my favourite pieces around our home, I have compiled a list of some of my favourite Irish artists and their works.
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Dominique Beyens
I initially fell in love with Dominique’s prints at the National Craft fair in the RDS, many moons ago. His fine art prints of Dublin are breathtaking and will make you take a second look at a city you think you know. From incredible sights along the Wild Atlantic Way, to street photography, there is truly something to everyone’s taste. Well worth exploring his website for inspiration!
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Simone Walsh
One of the first prints I ever spent money on was a Simone Walsh number, which hangs proudly in our living room. Her fun mix of colour with nostalgia gets me every time. Simone has an expanding collection of fun landscapes from across the country – featuring the towns and cities we love so dear. By far my favourite though are the food, sweet and Irish home pieces, featuring staples of my childhood and everyday life. Have a look on the website for gift ideas too – there are brilliant coasters, aprons, cups etc. which make great gifts for the Irish abroad!
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Black Hen Designs
Black Hen Designs are original glass paintings, designed and handcrafted in Co.Roscommon. I have a couple of these in my hall, and they are always admired by passers by. They are something a bit different from a traditional print and the fun subjects and titles really do it for me. The nature lover in me relates to these pieces in a big way and I have gifted them to so many fellow nature lovers over the years!
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Siobhan Dyar Ceramics
Something a bit different, Siobhán Dyar makes these beautiful framed pieces of hand crafted porcelain. Personalised for Tiny Humans, along with other sentiments for different occasions. These prints are a lovely addition to a nursery, playroom or living room. I love this as a baby gift as an alternative to clothes or toys. Mostly because it is a personal and timeless gift and looks lovely anywhere around a home. It’s worth exploring Siobhán’s website for other available framed prints, along with other really beautiful ceramic works.
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Eoin O’Connor
Eoin O’Connor’s bright and colourful prints of cows among other great subjects just make me smile. I have this guy ‘The Boss’ (below) hanging in my hall, but also have an even larger print in the boy’s bedroom of a similarly endearing cow, which they just love! From prints to original paintings, Eoin’s website has something to suit every budget. If cow’s don’t do it for you, fear not, you’ll also find sheep, landscapes and farmers in the mix. You can see how the subject matter resonates with the country kid in me!
Where to find other new and exciting Irish artists:
I’m always on the look out for new prints, photos and craft pieces for about the house. Sometimes I will hold out on buying smaller/generic things that I know I will tire of quickly. Instead I will mindfully choose something I feel someone has spent time carefully creating. My ever growing collection of Irish art is a work in progress, and something that I know I will enjoy growing over time. These are some of my favourite haunts for finding nice pieces for myself and as gifts: