The large canvas depicts Ireland's Celtic heritage with sardonic eye and is anti-romantic comment on the fanciful idealisation of western peasant culture. He bases his scene on the old practice when, on 'pattern days', people would gather to pray at a holy site associated with a
A Sense of Identity | Celtic Revival | The West
Image
Pilgrims on an island near Donegal, now known as St Patrick's Purgatory.
A Sense of Place | Patrick, Saint, 373?-463? | Manners and customs
Image
The 16th, 17th (St Patrick's Day) and 18th March comprises cameos (dancing, lovers' trysts, music making, storytelling, hawking etc.) that appear as subjects in their own right in other, smaller works by Nicol. One of most prominent interplays between characters in the painting i
A Sense of Place | Saint Patrick's Day | Manners and customs
Image
With a typically analytical eye and attention to detail, Ashford presents here a fascinating record of Dublin at the very end of the eighteenth century. The vantage point in the Phoenix Park overlooks the man-made weir at Islandbridge, Sarah Bridge and Kilmainham. In the distance
A Sense of Place | Landscapes | Stags
Image
This was one of a number of paintings exhibited by Osborne at the Royal Academy that represent something of a coherent group and hint at the partly documentary intentions of the artist. Osborne's picture is principally a record of everyday life. Aston Quay had been a favour
A Sense of Place | Vendor of Books | Manners and customs
Image
This richly coloured watercolour is part of a portfolio of 43 sheets entitled 'Studies in Cunnemara [sic] County Galway'. A number of the studies were engraved as black and white illustrations in Mr and Mrs Samuel C. Hall's lavish guide book, Ireland: its Scenery, Charact
A Sense of Place | The West | Manners and customs
Image
Daniel O'Connell, M.P., (1775-1847), who campaigned for Catholic Emancipation, addressing his supporters at "The Monster Meeting of the 20th September 1843 at Clifden", County Galway, Ireland.
A Sense of Freedom | O'Connell, Daniel, 1775-1847 | Monster Meeting
Image