Great to see among the Barryscourt mediation one Richard “Hellgate” Barry (reputedly) in Nathaniel Grogan’s North Gate Bridge (c.1794), licenced by yours truly from the collection of @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social

A day well spent in East Cork and huge kudos to @opwireland.bsky.social and @irishheritagetrust.bsky.social for their impeccable work at Barryscourt Castle and Fota House, respectively. Exceptional heritage experiences mediated by superb guides. All of the stars!

Tony & Jane O’Malley: The Shared Studio will soon open at Butler Gallery, Kilkenny and I’m thrilled to have been invited to participate in the accompanying talks series. My talk, “Tony O’Malley: Work from the Sixties revisited”, is at 6pm Thursday 10 September! www.butlergallery.ie/whats-on/the...

One of the very best gigs I’ve ever been at was The Swell Season in 2009 @theeverymancork.bsky.social. Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, The Frames, Lisa Hannigan… The atmosphere was just electric and, sitting high up at the back of ‘the gods’ with my brothers, you couldn’t help but fall under a spell.

It’s two years today since the inimitable Edna O’Brien and Éibhear Walshe both left us. We are the better for having had them so long in our midst and Irish letters continues to benefit from their words and thought.

A spot of window (un)dressing for John Rainey’s superb solo show, Deviations, at Galway Arts Centre, complete with dazzle camouflage and cheeky colour pops! One for @museumbums.bsky.social 👍🏛️🍑

I know, right. But at least it doesn’t gut its source like his Death on the Nile, which plays as a dull Kardashian nuptials set against green screen. (Amazing how many cancelled celebs they cast too!)

It’s odd that a director and actor who triumphed with Shakespeare (Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet) should be so wide of the mark with adapting Christie. Ironic then that his “supernatural” A Haunting in Venice should be the most lively of Branagh’s three Poirot films.

Dipping my toes into Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile (2022) and it is mesmerisingly dreadful. The shoddy script makes his leaden Murder on the Orient Express seem thrilling in comparison, while the artificiality of its settings drains all the life Gadot’s line delivery didn’t already extinguish.

Deviations, John Rainey’s solo show at Galway Arts Centre, is sensational! Suffused with subtle mischief, the exhibition achieves a sensuality and animality that tips into eroticism and kink. All of the stars 💫❤️‍🔥🫦 It runs until 27 September. Go see!

I *think* Marc O’Sullivan Vallig wrote something for the Examiner a few years back 🤔 Got a closer look at Pat O’Sullivan and Mick Wilkins’ sculptures today. Glad to see the latter’s dedication plaque (with misspelled Terence MacSwiney!) hasn’t been put back yet.

The end of a considerable era as St Augustine’s Church in Cork had its last mass today. Built in 1942 and extended in 1972, it has stunning dalle de verre windows by Gabriel Loire. It was also the city’s most recent home to the Augustinians, who first came to Cork in the late 13th century.

In between a place to be and where we are, created by @stephendoyleart.bsky.social during a Cork Pride residency in 2022, reflects our built safe spaces and the LGBTQ+ community in Cork, namely members of @gayprojectirl.bsky.social and LINQ. Images © Stephen Doyle

Stephen Doyle’s Our Nest is currently on show @rha-arts.bsky.social, while Dylan is ainm dom… (2018) is on loan from @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social to Highlanes Gallery for the exhibition, To Land: Living Roots Awaken.

Roll up, roll up! Excited to be joining the very brilliant @stephendoyleart.bsky.social in conversation to mark the acquisition of 'In between a place to be and where we are' by Cork City Council. 6pm Thursday 16 July Reserve your free spot via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ie/e/in-convers...

‘Everyone here is a work of art.’ 🩵🩷🤍 Cork Trans+ Pride 🩵🩷🤍

Sample-Studios’ annual members summer exhibition runs at The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, Cork until 23 August sample-studios.com/exhibitions/...

Heartiest congratulations to the 44 exhibiting artists at Sample-Studios’ annual members summer exhibition. Lovely words from fellow Board member Emer Yip, as well as Kim-Ling Morris and Matthew Whyte, marking the 15th anniversary of this key and vibrant part of Ireland’s visual arts infrastructure.

Farewell to Michael Byrne, a fine actor and sometime enemy / ally of Jack Ryan, Indiana Jones, and James Bond. www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...

Superb paper by @claireon.bsky.social on Irish artist James Barry @glucksman.bsky.social this evening as part of the 200 Years of Caesarean Section pre-conference event celebrating the legacy of Dr James Barry. @npec-ucc.bsky.social

Excited to be contributing to this evening’s 200 Years of Caesarean Section pre-conference talks @ucc.ie focusing on artist James Barry and the legacy he left his sister’s child, Dr James Barry. It will feature this painting purchased by Cooper Penrose, now in @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social.

Doneraile Court opened to the public #onthisday in 2019 following conservation work by @opwireland.bsky.social. A joy to be there on the day and to have revisited many times since as its offering continues to grow. Well worth a visit!

The chat was mighty last Saturday at Stephen Brandes’ The Skiapod of Ballymaccus (if this photo of us is anything to go by). The exhibition is a real treat and runs Mon-Fri until 24 July at LHQ Gallery. 📷 Paul La Rocque

Thanks to all who came along to LHQ Gallery earlier today to hear Stephen Brandes and I chat about his current exhibition. A total pleasure! The Skiapod of Ballymaccus is open Monday-Friday until 24 July 🐦

Great to attend the launch of Sulphur, a new solo show by Orla Whelan, which runs at the Lavit Gallery, Cork until 11 July ✨

The Skiapod of Ballymaccus! At a loose end this Saturday 20 June? Join me and the inimitable Stephen Brandes at 12pm at LHQ Gallery, Cork for a conversation about his current solo exhibition and new body of work. Reserve your free spot to avoid disappointment: arts@corkcoco.ie

Further debasement at the hands of City Council. What have we done to deserve these crash barriers 🫠

Stasis Field, Kathy Prendergast’s magnetic solo show runs until 30 May @kerlingallery.bsky.social 🌚

It’s two years since Dr Flicka Small left us 🤍

Opening this Saturday! Install is nearing completion on To Land: Living Roots Awaken, a new exhibition at Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda in partnership with @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social. Here’s a sneak peek at works by Nuala O’Donovan and Elizabeth Magill… crawfordartgallery.ie/highlanes-ga...