Darragh has a winning way with art
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Melissa Ryan, co-ordinator of the Birdhill Art Hub exhibition, with the participants in the Junior section of the 2024 Open Air Exhibition.Image 2 of 4
Darragh Harrington with a picture of his painting, which won the public vote.Image 3 of 4
Megan Gannon, Limerick winner of the Teen’s Section of the Art Exhibition at the Pollaghs, Birdhill, with a copy of her winning work.Image 4 of 4
Winner of the Adult Section of the Birdhill Art Hub Exhibition of Paintings, Aoife Carroll, Newport after being presented with her prize.A budding young artist has got a winning way of stealing the hearts of the admirers of his work, which is now building into a trail of successes.
Daragh Harrington (11), Toor, Newport was presented with the award for public choice after his painting was voted the most popular among the hundreds who visited the Birdhill Art Hub Open Air Exhibition of paintings along the popular Pollagh Walking Trail during July and August.
The theme for this year's exhibition co-ordinated by artist, Melissa Ryan was ‘Capturing The Moment’ for which Darragh used his imagination to present a sporting picture of a hurler capturing the ball while in full flight on the playing pitch.
A previous winner of the award, Darragh was presented with his prize, sponsored by Queally's SuperValu, Killaloe, by Melissa Ryan at the annual presentation of awards at the close of this year's exhibition.
In 2022 his entry won the U12 years section and last year he repeated his success in the and his work was the visitors’ choice in the public vote.
The independent panel of judges of the paintings were Kerry Acheson, Aine Quinlan and Aidan Lynch. The exhibition comprised of 50 paintings selected from the entries received.
The adult section, which was open to both amateur and professional was won by Aoife Carroll, Newport for her painting titled ‘Whispers of Winter’ and described as ‘Sunlight filters through the bare branches, casting shadows across the frosted field. A lone deer stands watch’.
The judges said of the painting: “The world seems to hold its breath, waiting for the first snow to fall. It's a scene that stirs a familiar excitement within me – that feeling of anticipation for winter's arrival, a season that always feels like a fresh start, a world painted anew in white.”
The award in the section was sponsored by the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe and Applegreen, Birdhill.
Students at St Mary's Secondary School, Newport, under their art teacher, Fiona McGauley received the award for the best secondary school/college entry.
The title of the painting was ‘Childhood’ and the participating artists were Marharyta Zhartovska, Aoibheann Mullins, Amelia Duggan and Megan Gannon.
The Teen's Award (13-17 years) sponsored by Aidan Lynch Picture Framing, Ballina and Matt the Threshers Inn, Birdhill was won by Megan Gannon, Limerick.
The Junior Section (8-12 years) sponsored by Lackbox Framing Gallery and Midwest Steel Works Ltd was won by Lucy Creagh, Birdhill.
The judges commented: "In our opinion, this picture describes an exciting and memorable moment in a child’s life. A little girl splashes carelessly in a lake by her house. It's already sunset outside, a light warm wind is blowing.”