Author: Eamon Donovan

Artist Aileen Donovan, James Deegan, chairman of the conservation committee and David Broderick, creative communities engagement officer Laois County Council at the unveiling of a painting of the Dysart Enos old Church by artist Aileen Donovan at Park Ratheniska GAA Club. This project was funded by Creative Laois/Creative Ireland as part of their Heritage through Art grant scheme. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Dysart Enos old Church Launch

Written by Eamon Donovan on 30 October 2023. Posted in News. No Comments on Dysart Enos old Church Launch

I attended the unveiling of my painting Dysart Enos Church on Sunday the 29th of October in Rathneska FAA Clubhouse. This was an initiative through Creative Ireland and Dysart Enos Church Conservation Group.

This project was funded by Creative Ireland Laois as part of their heritage through art community grant.🎨
M.C for the launch was James Deegan of the Dysart Enos church conservation Committee. James introduced David Broderick, Creative Communities Engagement Officer who spoke on behalf of Laois County Council & CreativeIrleland. Kevin Fingleton next welcomed everyone on behalf of Park Ratheniska GAA Club, Co Laois and was followed by Har Ramsbottom and Artie Drennan who jointly unveiled my painting.

I gave a little speech on my technique and how the little stone grave markers were a very important and poignant part of my painting as I felt they were as important as those who had a gravestone. I was very happy to be involved in this project.

The proceedings were closed by Kate Ramsbottom who also remembered those past committee members who are no longer with us to see this unveiling.

A special mention on the day was given to former Laois Heritage Officer Catherine Casey for all her support over the years on the conservation of Dysart Enos Old Church.🙌

This project was funded by Creative Laois/Creative Ireland as part of their Heritage through Art grant scheme.

Photos by Alf Harvey – Photographer📸

Dysart Enos Church

Written by Eamon Donovan on 26 October 2023. Posted in News. No Comments on Dysart Enos Church

I got involved with a project for @creativeirelandlaois recently. They advertised for a scheme where an artist could be involved with a local community group on a historic project. I read this and was immediately interested as I love history particularly local history. I knew of the local Dysart Enos Conservation Group in Co. Laois. The history of the area is fascinating and although I can see the ruin of the Church with binoculars from my own home I had never been there. Its a fascinating spot and steeped in history which I’ve attached here. I have painted a picture of the Church which will be unveiled at Ratheniska GAA Clubhouse this Sunday 29th at 11am. All are welcome to attend. The painting will be left on permanent display thereafter.

See also https://www.laoistoday.ie/2022/01/06/183-years-after-the-night-of-the-big-wind-an-old-laois-church-is-on-the-road-to-restoration/

All Endings Have a Beginning

Written by Eamon Donovan on 29 September 2023. Posted in News. No Comments on All Endings Have a Beginning

I am having an exhibition called ‘All Endings Have a Beginning‘ in Mountmellick Library for the month of October. There is an open night on Tuesday the 6th of October from 6 to 7.30 with light refreshments. My theme is All Endings have a Beginning. You are all very welcome to attend.

Culture Night Exhibition at Methodist Church, Portlaoise

Written by Eamon Donovan on 21 September 2023. Posted in News. No Comments on Culture Night Exhibition at Methodist Church, Portlaoise

I am delighted to be involved in this event for Culture Night on Friday 22nd of September. I will be part of an exhibition from 5:30pm to 8:00pm in the Methodist Church, Portlaoise. This is one of the few public buildings in Portlaoise I’ve never been in before and I’m so looking forward to seeing it.

If anyone is around tomorrow evening the church is on Station Road just across the road from Portlaoise Train Station. Eircode R32 CTY4. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Kilkenny Exhibition at Essie Mays

Written by Eamon Donovan on 10 August 2023. Posted in News. No Comments on Kilkenny Exhibition at Essie Mays

I am exhibiting alongside 6 very talented artists as part of the HOPE exhibition as part of the AKA festival in Essie May’s wonderful shop in Saint Kieran Street, Kilkenny, R95 KNY3. The exhibition runs from the 11th to the 29th of August 2023.

There is an official opening night next Monday the 14th of August from 7 until 9. If you are in the Kilkenny area you are very welcome. Aileen

Christmas Sale

Written by Eamon Donovan on 25 November 2022. Posted in News. No Comments on Christmas Sale

Thank you to everyone that attended the open evening last night the 24th of November in the Gallic Kitchen, Abbeyleix. Thank you to Alison Kirwan for her wonderful piano playing. It was a pleasure to listen to her. Thank you to my husband Eamon for setting up the drinks, food, tea/coffee etc., yesterday evening.

There is a 15% discount code (Xmas22) on my online shop right up until New Year’s Eve.

Thank you all again for a lovely evening.

Aileen.

Pre Christmas Customers and Friends Night

Written by Eamon Donovan on 22 November 2022. Posted in News. No Comments on Pre Christmas Customers and Friends Night

Hello. I am having an open night at the Gallic Kitchen, Abbeyleix (R32 D8C0) on the 24th of November from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. I take over the entire Café for the night. There will be tea, coffee, wine and cheese, finger food and discounts on the night. If you’re after that ideal original Christmas present then Abbeyleix is the place to be on the 24th. I’ll see you then. If you are unable to come, use discount code Xmas22 in my online store until December 31st.

Landscape Artist of the Year

Written by Eamon Donovan on 23 June 2022. Posted in News. No Comments on Landscape Artist of the Year

I had the adventure of a lifetime yesterday up in Castle Ward in Northern Ireland where I competed as a wildcard contestant in Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the year. The competition was whittled down from over 10,000 entries right down to 348. There were 50 wildcards and 8 contestants competing in this heat. This was heat number 5. There were already 2 heats in Royal Ascot and two in Blackpool in the UK. The last heat is today the 23rd of June again in Castle Ward.

It all started at 6.45 in the morning where everyone had to register. We were all greeted by Skys production team who were very helpful and encouraging. Everything was explained properly as we were led to the destination. We were told we may see the Judges and presenters fleetingly and as it turned out they were all out in force and happy to chat to everyone. I was itching to get my photo taken with them all but nobody else seemed to so I left it so. We were all positioned by the Loch with the Castle behind us. We were all told to have a good look and see what jumped out at us. I had a good look around and settled on trees across the Loch. It was a really dull day so the Loch itself didn’t appeal to me. Turns out that was a mistake because one of the Judges Tai-Shan Schierenberg asked me why I hadn’t painted the Loch as that was the star attraction. I ploughed on with my painting but knew at that point the Judges were looking for paintings of the Loch. Ces’t la vie.

The winner was called out about 3.30. It was a painting of the Loch with the town in the distance. It was a very worthy winner. Overall it was an amazing experience. The atmosphere was brilliant and all the artists were popping around to each other. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I was super proud to get that far. I’ll be bringing my completed painting from the Competition to the Abbeyleix House Fun Day on Saturday. You can buy the piece here.

I’ll be painting and selling my wares at the Abbeyleix House Fun Day this Saturday 25th June from 12:30pm to 5:00pm. Hopefully, see some of you there.

My New (ECommerce) Website

Written by Eamon Donovan on 21 June 2022. Posted in News. No Comments on My New (ECommerce) Website

Woohoo! My new website, Aileen.ie, is now live. It looks quite like the old site, but there are two major differences:

You can join my mailing list to keep up with all the latest developments, events, and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time. I promise I won’t bombard you.
You can buy my art online directly from Aileen.ie with your credit/debit card Google Pay/Apple Pay. You can still meet me in person and pay via Revolut or PayPal or even cash. But, it’s so easy to buy online. And it avoids the messy situation where several people want the same piece. Now it’s first come first served. If you want a piece, get in quick. There won’t be any copies/reinterpretations. Every piece is unique.

Free delivery by FastWay Couriers for deliveries in Ireland and UK.

Rest of World can contact me for prices as most of my pieces are drawn with a glue gun on so don’t easily roll into a cardboard tube for cheap delivery.

Thanks so much to Laois LEO for the Trading Online Voucher and Modus IT Ltd. for all their hard work on the site.

Abbeyleix House Fun Day

Written by Eamon Donovan on 15 June 2022. Posted in News. No Comments on Abbeyleix House Fun Day

I’m very excited to be painting and selling my wares at the Abbeyleix House Fun Day on Saturday, June 25th from 12.30 p.m. – 5 p.m. The family fun day is in aid of St. Lazerians St. Vincent De Paul Conference, My Lovely Horse Rescue, and the Abbeyleix and District Lions Club. There will be local crafts and cuisine, food trucks, face painters, games, and an aeroplane display. And the rare chance to check out the De Vesci Estate.

Visit abbeyleixhousefunday.com to buy tickets.

Hope to see you there.