Upcoming art events, retreats and festivals to book now …
Mount Juliet Estate, Co Kilkenny
Art + Soul International Art & Sculpture exhibition is currently on at Mount Juliet Estate with guided tours taking place daily at 12 noon, 2pm and 4 pm. Stay over and enjoy the newly renovated rooms of the Manor House. While there, pop into into Kilkenny to catch the new exhibition Of Sand and Ash at the National Design & Craft Gallery, co-curated by Lindsay LeBlanc and Ava Hayes for the Glass Society of Ireland. @mountjulietestate @ndcgallery
Russborough House & Burtown House & Gardens, Co Wicklow
The annual Car Boot Art Fair at Russborough House in Wicklow this weekend is part of Russborough’s ongoing programme of art workshops and is always an interesting day out. Visitors can peruse original paintings, prints and drawings at a range of prices from Irish artists including Ann Marie Webb, Aoife Scott, Blaise Smith, Catherine Barron, Eamon Colman, Taffina Flood and Tracy Staunton. Sign up for a life drawing course with Angela Cunningham on September 11-13 or Demystifying Oil Painting with Ed Reynolds on September 26-27. The Plein Air Festival on September 13 is a further highlight when artists and novices can enjoy a full day of outdoor painting in the magnificent grounds. Stay at nearby Burtown House & Gardens where the cosy, creative interior aesthetic of its Stable Yard accommodation will enchant. @russborough @burtown_house
The Strand Inn, Co Waterford
This coastal charmer, managed by siblings Clifden and Louise Foyle, combines a boutique hotel, restaurant and Artform art school, opened to encourage visitors to Dunmore East during autumn. Bernadette Kiely and Amelia Caulfield lead a watercolour and acrylics course on September 12-13 for all levels, while John Short leads a watercolour course for intermediate and advance painters on November 13-15. It’s also a great spot for year-round sea swimming. “Mornings have a lovely buzz with people coming in after a swim for breakfast or a coffee,” says Clifden. @thestrandinn
Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry
“Art at the Falls” returns to Sheen Falls Lodge in Kerry from September 13, transforming the hotel’s gardens and riverside setting into an immersive gallery experience. Curated by Gormleys, the exhibition brings together works by Irish and international artists such as Patrick O’Reilly, Ian Pollock, Mark Rode, Liam O’Neill and Debbie Chapman alongside internationally recognised names including Andy Warhol, Banksy, Salvador Dalí and Tracey Emin. This year’s exhibition also features a tribute to the late Christine Bowen whose long-standing relationship with Sheen Falls Lodge is reflected in the distinctive artworks displayed throughout the hotel. “Nairobi to Neidín: A Tribute to the Life and Art of Christine Bowen” is a special dinner in The Falls Restaurant led by art critic Frances Ruane, which concludes with a performance from Blackwater Valley Opera. @sheenfalls
CitizenM Dublin
CitizenM has partnered with Dublin Fringe Festival, which runs from September 18-20. Guests who book a stay can look forward to festival tickets, breakfast each morning, a welcome drink and a special Dublin Fringe city guide curated by festival director Bee Sparks. The hotel itself is packed with local charm, history and culture. The facade of the building, a Brutalist beauty by legendary Irish architect Sam Stephenson, features a bronze-cast lyric by Dublin rapper Malaki from his track Cuppa Tea and a mural by Claire Prouvost. Art plays a starring role inside with each room featuring bespoke diptychs by one of five Irish artists, curated by IMMA’s Mary Cremin. Think dreamy digital collages, cyanotype portraits and stitched-ribbon photography – all playful, Irish and exclusive to CitizenM. @citizenm
Coopershill House, Co Sligo
Taking place from October 24 to 31 at the beautiful Coopershill House in Sligo, The Trace of Things is a creative retreat exploring surface, memory, atmosphere and the response to place, led by artists Tracey Sweeney and Marian Garvey. The course offers a week of painting, writing, creative exploration and process, with the landscape and atmosphere of Coopershill providing a source of inspiration. @coopershill
Titanic Hotel Belfast
Earlier this summer, Belfast’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann saw a record number of tourists flock to the city and enjoy its lively vibe. For a cultural weekend, there’s plenty to see this autumn. The Belfast International Arts Festival returns for its 64th edition, bringing more than 200 events to over 30 venues across the city from October 14 to November 7, spanning theatre, music, dance, visual arts, literature and immersive experiences. As a base, stay at Titanic Hotel Belfast, from where you can pop into the Northern Threads fashion exhibition at Titanic Belfast. It’s on until September 30, while European Heritage Open Days takes place on September 12-13. @titanichotelbelfast
