The new season has begun at The Old Forge and on Easter Sunday I was delighted to be able to show Cillian Rogers his completed portrait. Cillian was at the North Mayo Heritage Centre in the guise of the Woodland Giant as part of the Easter celebrations taking place in the woods. He had to dip under the doorway to get into the forge and he towers above the painting in his brilliant costume made by Imelda, his wife.
Cillian Rogers at The Old Forge Art Studio, North Mayo Heritage Centre
One of my tasks this year is to complete a full sized portrait of Cillian set in the Dromore West Workhouse where he and Imelda live, work and create.
The Workhouse, Dromore West, Co. Sligo, Ireland
The history of Cillian and Imelda’s home dates back to The Great Famine. Dromore West Workhouse in Co. Sligo was built in 1849 to accomodate those suffering following the potato blight. Part of the building was burned down by the Anti-Treaty IRA. The location of the building is unique as most workhouses were built in towns and cities. Phil Connolly, Cillian’s grandfather, was clerk of the workhouse in the early 1900s.
Arthur appearing at the Ballina Salmon Festival on Heritage Day
Cillian also makes metal sculpture. The Black Pig in Enniscrone, Co. Sligo.
Diarmuid and Grainne
Festival in Sligo to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of W B Yeats’ birth.
The Jester
This is the completed portrait of Cillian Rogers.