Aine Art,Killashee

I was delighted to be part of the Cruthu Arts Festival this year.There was a buzz of creative excitement in the town throughout the Festival.Artists from all over the County teamed up to give Longford "A lick of Paint" in a most beautifull way.As you walked through the streets wall murals gave out an onslaught of colour,adding great character to otherwise ordinary walkways.You couldnt help but stop to admire this great artwork. Cruthu Arts Festival celebrates the wealth of artistic talent in the midlands region by creating a positive,meaningful and fun engagement with the wider community.Cruthu has grown to include pop-up galleries,street art,film,circus,traditional arts,theatre,and live music performances.I teemed up with a local photographer and our pop-up gallery was busy.I really enjoyed chatting with other artists and performers and seeing what they were doing.There is lots of creative talent of all types in Longford and Cruthu is very supportive in showcasing their wor...

Longford long overlooked as a destination for visitors has now been recognised as a treasure trove of surprises in the Heart of Ireland.The surounding countryside which is steeped in history,has a wealth of places to visit and things to do. The county is heaven for the water enthusiast with glorious lakes,rivers,canals providing the opportunity to take part in energetic sports such as canoeing and kayaking, or the more leisurely canal cruising,coarse or game angling.There are walking and cycling routes all along the Royal Canal with breathtaking scenery.The scenery is so breathtaking it is difficult to understand how this part of Ireland has remained a secret for so long.With one year to go, Centerparcs Longford Forest will open at a cost of 233 million.Visitors from near and far will flock to Centerparcs when open, so my advice is to visit soon and enjoy a break in Lovely Longford.I hope you enjoy my paintings of Longford and you can message me on Facebook Aine Art,Killashee

As children we often called to the old Forge where Uncle James was the village blacksmith. We were delighted to be allowed to stand by the door watching proceedings.It was familiar to see the Horses waiting in the lane,placid bays and greys,broad shouldered chestnuts and magnificent whites.Some of them could be flighty and temperamental at times,but if anyone could be put them at ease it was Uncle James.Working in the forge was more than just a job to him,it was in its own way a calling,a family tradition that spanned the generations. The interior of the forge was dark and cluttered,the sunlight slanting through the open door on bright spring days so that it seemed as if the light and dark were ready to embrace. When we stood at the door,the workings of the forge seemed to have a kind of magic about them, the rhythm of the hammer on anvil filling the space,the sparks like shooting stars fanning to the dark corners.A bright fire burned in the old hearth and on very cold days with Uncles...

Aine Art had a lovely day today at Strokestown Park House Annual Show. Strokestown Park House is an 18th centuary mansion which has been faithfully restored.It is unique in that it retains its original furnishings and guided tours allow visitors to experience Georgian Ireland in its purist form.The National Famine Museum is located in what was once the stable yards of Strokestown Park,an 11,000 acre estate owned by the Mahon Family until 1979. The estate was purchased by the Irish State and papers relating to the management of the estate were found.This collection of papers is now regarded as the single best archive of the Great Irish Famine in the world.The beautifull Walled Garden of over six acres has been restored to its original splendour.Visitors can learn about horticultural practices and garden architecture from the 1740s to the present day.The Woodland Walk has been restored and visitors can walk through parts of this beautifull estate.Aine Art will definately be back again.

Kerry has long been recognised as a holiday destination for tourists and the home market alike. Wild and mountainous,still referred to as The Kingdom, because of its fierce independance from Central Government,has some of Irelands finest scenery,and beautifull beaches.Beyond the far west coast of Kerry lies the Great Blasket Island.Beautifull,desolate,and surrounded by wild seas, it was once home to a small but fiercely independant community of people whose medieval way of life had long vanished from the Irish mainland.They spoke a lost, pure form of Gaelic,and told tales of ancient times by the light of their turf fires.Writers and romantics were drawn there spellbound by the rugged surroundings and the determination of its inhabitants.The way of life could not last,back breaking work,difficult weather,and near starvation finally drove them to the mainland and abroad,and the Island was finally abandoned in 1953. Killarney was always a prosperous town with thousands of tourists flock...

All roads lead to Strokestown next Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th of September for the annual Agricultural Show.Aine Art will be there with a selection of paintings and I am really looking forward to it.This years event will be held in the grounds of Strokestown Park House and will feature 23 All Ireland Finals.Sections include Cattle,Sheep,Horse and Pony,Farm and Garden, Fruit and Vegetables,Hay and Pasture,Turf,Cookery and Handcrafts.Something there for everyone. Ther will be a Best Dressed Lady competition aslo Best Dressed Gent,Glamorous Granny and Little Miss and Mister and of course a Bonny Baby.If you attend the Show and feel peckish there will be a food fair entitled Flavours from the Heart,there will be a large selection of both savory and sweet.I hope the weather will be kind and drop in to see me at the Aine Art Stand, I will be delighted to see you.