Homeland Art

 Arthur Guinness and the founding of the Brewery

Arthur Guinness was born in 1725 near Dublin in the town of Celbridge, county Kildare where his father, Richard Guinness, was a Land Steward. Part of Richard’s duties were to supervise the brewing of beer for the workers on the estate and it is probable that young Arthur first learnt the art of brewing from his father. The brewing industry in Dublin at that date was suffering because English beer was taxed less severely than the home-produced product. Arthur was not, however, deterred. He decided to acquire what was then a small, disused and ill-equipped brewery at St James’s Gate.

The lease, signed on 31 December 1759, was for 9000 years at an annual rent of £45. To start with, Arthur brewed ale, but by the 1770s a new drink, a strong black beer called porter, was being exported from London. Arthur decided to brew this new beer himself. He proved extremely successful and right into his seventies Arthur continued to be active in supervising his business at the Brewery, now assisted by three of his sons. Arthur had married an heiress, Olivia Whitmore, and had 21 children, 10 of whom survived into adulthood. When he died in 1803, he left a considerable personal fortune of about £23,000 and an extremely flourishing business which later generations of his family were to develop, following the example of initiative and enterprise set by its founder.

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The town of Howth on the north-side of Dublin is a small fishing villiage, located at the Northern end of the electric rail system (DART).  It is a penninsula but a long time ago Howth was an island but over time became part of the mainland as a result of a sandbar making the connection.

The main places of interest are the harbour and marina, the cliff walk, the martello tower, and the boat trips around Ireland’s Eye Island. There are also some fine restaurants, fish and chip shops, high quality fish mongers, and a beach, but the beach is nothing to write home about. The beaches in Malahide and Portmarnock are better because you don’t have to wade out a couple of hundred yards to reach water deep enough to swim in.

 The Harbour is home to a working fishing fleet aswell as countless yachts that are evidence of Ireland’s Celtic Tiger economy. The fishmongers are located on the shorter inner harbour wall and you will always see people fishing off the extreme end of this wall. The other pier is much longer and quite a walk. It is facing the sea and can be a very fresh experience especially if there is a stiff breeze coming off the sea. At the end is an automatic lighthouse and from here you will have a great view of Ireland’s Eye and it’s impressive colony of sea birds. It is also the best place to get a glimpse of one of the many grey seals which have made Howth Harbour theit home.

The Martello Tower was built to defend against the possibility of French invasion in the time of Napolean and sits on a steep cliff which looks very difficult to access. It is a short steep climf but is totally worth it for the view.

The cliff walk around Howth is a fantastic experience and it’s hard to believe that you are only 10 miles or so from the city centre. The sea views are spectacular and on a clear day you can see the mountains of Wales.

The history of Howth: the name of “Howth” is belived to be derived from the Norse word “hoved” which means “headland”. It was an early Viking settlement at the same time as the same time the Vikings were building the greater settlement in Dublin around the time of the first millenium A.D.

The first building you might notice as you leave the DART station is a pub called the Bloody Stream which actually right underneath the DART station. The name is a reference to the story of Brian Boru whose death was foretold by a woman who was washing his clothes and the stream ran thick with blood.

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 Donegal, situated in the beautiful rugged mountain landscape of Ireland’s North West is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. This huge county’s supreme appeal lies in the natural beauty of its coast, with windswept peninsulas, precipitous cliffs and a host of golden beaches that rival any in Europe.
With 9,000 years of history behind it any trek through the furrowed countryside will bring the traveller on the sites of monastic settlements, traces of the Vikings in Raphoe and Donegal town and ancient pre-Christian forts of the High Kings of Ulster. And along your way you are bound to come across some of what makes Donegal so unique.
Irish culture has survived and thrived here in a way it has failed to do elsewhere. Language and culture are still vibrant throughout the Gaeltacht areas of the county and foremost among these traditions is the one of welcoming strangers.
The Slieve League (Grey Mountain) cliffs, situated on the West coast of Donegal, are said to be the highest and one of the finest marine cliffs in Europe with a three hundred metre drop straight down into the wild, Atlantic waves below. This creates a breathtaking but extremely scary view.
The more active might want to consider one of Donegal’s famous links courses or any of the watersports popular around the coast of the county like surfing and water-skiing. For the younger visitor there’s Waterworld at Bundoran and Leisureland in Moville, one of Ireland’s leading activity centres offering a range of activities and rides.
One of Donegal’s most famous historical landmarks is Grianan Aileach on the Derry Road. The fort is 5,000 years old and the award winning Interpretative Centre located there can take you back in time to a day when the lords of Ulster watched their kingdom from Grianan. A more modern fortress is Fort Dunree in Inishowen; built to defend Ireland during the Napoleonic wars it was used until a decade ago and was a link in Ireland’s defences from Nazi Germany.
For those with a passion for wildlife the Buncrana Wildlife Sanctuary is one of many places where animals can be observed in their native habitat. Much of Donegal’s unspoilt wilderness is a haven for migratory fowl and birds and its people are ever vigilant in their protection.
And it is the people that will keep brining you back to Donegal. It may be the beauty of the landscape or a love for outdoor sports that brings you to Donegal but it will be the charm and openness of its inhabitants that you will remember for years to come and that will eventually, bring you back.

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Dublin has a number of large and small art galleries including modern art galleries and photo galleries. The main gallery is the National Gallery of Ireland. The National Gallery is situated on Merrion Square West in the city centre, beside the National History museum and Leinster House (the centre of government in Ireland). This is Ireland’s main art gallery, consisting of a huge collection. There is also a large new section which is primarily there to facilitate visiting exhibitions.
The main modern art gallery is the Irish Museum of Modern Art. This is situated in Kilmainham, about one mile from the city centre. It is walkable from the city centre, but you can also get a bus from anywhere on the North Quays down as far as Heuston Station and walk the rest. Another modern art gallery is the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, which is located on Parnell Square North, in the city centre.

Main Dublin Art Galleries
The National Gallery - The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish art and European master paintings. Admission to the Gallery is free.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art - The Irish Museum of Modern Arts is Ireland’s leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. It is located in Kilmainham, Dublin 8 and admission is free.
Hugh Lane Gallery - The Hugh Lane Gallery houses one of Ireland’s foremost collections of modern and contemporary art, including Monet, Renoir and Degas. It is located on Parnell Sq, Dublin 1 and admission is free.

Other Dublin Art Galleries
The Chester Beatty Library - Clock tower building, Dublin Castle.
The Green Gallery - Top floor, St Stephens Green Shopping centre.
Graphic Studio Dublin Gallery - Beside the Arch, Temple Bar.
Gallery of Photography - Meeting House Square, Temple Bar.
Oisín Gallery - 44 Westland Row, Dublin 2
Temple Bar Gallery and Studios - 5-9 Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Boulevard Gallery - This is an open air gallery in which local artists sell their work during the summer weekends. Located on Merrion Sq in the City Centre.

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Up to 1816, the year the Ha’penny Bridge was erected, no other bridge existed between Essex (Grattan or Capel Street) Bridge and Carlisle (O’Connell) Bridge.
There was a ferry from the Bagnio Slip (at the bottom of Fownes Street) operated by William Walsh. He owned seven old ferries and was under pressure from Dublin Corporation to repair them or replace them. He did not act on that idea, preferring instead to build a bridge. His proposal to Dublin Corporation was adopted and he was allowed to charge a halfpenny toll over a hundred year lease..

Designed by John Windsor and costing £3,894.7s.11½d., the bridge was manufactured in Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, the first centre of iron casting in Britain. Now one of the oldest cast-iron bridges in the world it was originally named Wellington Bridge, after the Dublin born Duke who had trounced Napoleon. Offically called the Liffey Bridge, it is more commonly known as the Halfpenny or Ha’penny Bridge.

The bridge was the only pedestrian bridge on the Liffey until the new Millenium bridge opened in 2000. The Ha’penny bridge was closed in 2001 for major repair. It was reopened 2003 with its original paint colour restored and changes made at the ends to allow standing room for pedestrians before crossing the road.

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Leaving Killarney, take the Killorglin road (N70). Here on the left you will see the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range and Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrantoohil.
Killorglin is the home of Puck Fair, a pagan festival for over 3000 years. (10/11/12 August). Continue on to Glenbeigh a popular beach and seaside resort. You will also pass the Red Fox Inn andTraditional Bog Village.

Next stop is Glenbeigh, it has a beautiful beach at Rossbeigh, 3 miles of sandy beach, head back to the N70 to Kells or go over the mountain at Cahill’s pub ( cars only ) to join the N70.From the mountain stage there is a great view of Dingle Bay, this is a good spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the view.

Cahersiveen is next, at the new bridge on the left can be seen the birth place of Daniel O’Connell ” The Liberator ”and hero to the Irish people in the 1800’s. It is also home of two stone forts dating back to the 9th.Century. There is also an Train Engine here that was used here on the old Railway.
You can also find Ballycabbery Castle (ruin) once a fortress to The McCarthy Mór ( as that at Castlelough beside the Lake Hotel ). Leaving Caherciveen on your right hand side you can see Valentia Island which can be accessed from Caherciveen by a car ferry and exit at Portmagee.
Valentia was where the first Transatlantic Cable was laid all the way to America in 1857, you can also visit the Slate Quarry and the Light House, there are many remains of old structures including Stone (Ring) Forts and Churches. Out to Sea you can see The Skellig Rocks 700 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean was used by monks as a monastery from the 5th. Century, you can visit the rocks by boat and is highly recommenced so bring a packed lunch from the Lake Hotel.
Heading on to Waterville turn right at the church and right again and head to the golf course. There are some very good restaurants here for lunch, the Smuggler’s Inn, Huntsman and the Fisherman’s Bar. After lunch you can walk the beach to stretch your legs, as Charlie Chaplin, Shirley McClaine, Walt Disney, Tiger Woods, Pane Stuart and Michael Jordan have in days gone by.

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There are many places to visit (other than Pubs!…..but we will get to that!) in Temple Bar.

The Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, at Foster Place is an interesting place. This is an interactive museum which reflects both Irish History and Banking in Ireland over the last 200 years.

The Graphic Studio Gallery (off Cope Street) is a modern and skylit gallery. It concentrates soley on Ireland’s Graphic Arts.

The National Photographic Archive (Meeting House Square), opened in October 1998 and houses the National Library of Ireland’s photographic collection, which comprises approximately 300,000 photographs. While most of the collections are historical there are some contemporary collections. Subject matter ranges from topographical views to studio portraits. There are also substantial numbers of loose prints and various smaller collections, which include particularly good coverage of events during 1916, the War of Independence and the Civil War. The new building incorporates a substantial storage area, which is controlled by an air plant system, together with a Reading room, an Exhibition area and a small shop. The National Photographic Archive runs a regular series of exhibitions based on the collections

The Original Print Gallery is a nice spot to visit. They are very proud of their exhibitions which celebrate the mastery and richness of printmaking both in Ireland and internationally. It is open 7 days a week, all year round.

Temple Bar Gallery and Studios. Founded in 1983 in the heart of Dublin’s “Left Bank,” this is one of the largest studio/gallery complexes in Europe. More than 30 Irish artists work here at a variety of contemporary visual arts, from sculpture and painting to printing and photography.

The Ark.

The Ark is a cultural centre for children situated in the heart of Temple Bar. The Ark is Europe’s first custom-designed arts centre for children and opened in September 1995. Every year some 20,000 children and 5,000 adults visit The Ark and participate in their programmes.

Dedicated to cultural work for, by and with children, The Ark contains a 150 seat theatre, a gallery, and a large workshop studio. In the Ark children are makers and doers, as well as lookers and listeners.

The Gallery of Photography.

This is Dublin’s only photographic gallery with exhibitions of international and Irish contemporary photographs, posters, and books on photography.

Location: Meeting House Square, Sycamore Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

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If you are thinking of visiting the wonderful city of Dublin there are plenty of things to do. I would highly recommend visiting the Guinness factory complex. You will be given a tour through the brewery and top it off you are given a complimentary pint of guinness at the end of the tour in the sky bar which gives you a fantastic view across Dublin City.

Trinity College is another great place to visit while you are in Dublin. Once the educator of the elite of Irish society, Trinity is now open to all. The old library and the Book of Kells are a must see. The Book of Kells is an ornately illustrated manuscript by Celtic monks around A.D. 800 in a style known as Insular art. The Book of Kells is on permanent display in the Trinity Library, Dublin, Ireland. Trinity has a History of Art Department and the Douglas Hyde Art Gallery is located at Trinity College.

For those interested in Irish History, I would highly recommend visiting Dublinia, located in Christchurch. From the early days of History of Ireland, Dublinia traces the story of medieval Dublin from the English Invasion through the Black Death to the closure of the monasteries in the 1540’s.

Kilmainham Gaol is one of my favourites. The leaders if the Easter Rising of 1916 were executed here by the English. This building gives a good insight into the history of Irish Republicanism.

Temple Bar is the ideal place to unwind after a day of activity in Dublin. Some of Dublin’s best night spots, restaurants, and unusual shops line the narrow cobbled streets. Organisations based here include the Irish Film Centre (IFC), the experimental Project Arts Centre and around a dozen galleries. There are also centres for music, multi-media and photography, as well as a Children’s Cultural Centre - an arts centre offering theatre, workshops, and other entertainment for children.

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As you can see from HomeLand Art’s gallery there are three paintings of Howth.  Two of these paintings depict the harbour and the third painting is of the Bailey Lighthouse, looking over Dublin Bay.

Howth is a wonderful place to visit and is a nice little escape for anyone spending time in Dublin City.  Situated just 9 miles from the city centre, it takes about 25 minutes to get to by Dart (Dublin’s electric rail system).  You can also get a bus to Howth Summit where the views across Dublin bay are breathtaking.  On a clear day you can see as far south as Wexford and looking east you can make out the mountains of Wales.  From here you can see the Bailey Lighthouse and it’s view across Dublin Bay to the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains.  Our painting of the Bailey Lighthouse was painted not far from the summit where the cliff walk begins.

 I would highly recommend, for anyone visiting Howth for the first time, to make their way to the summit on the 31C bus.  From Howth Summit you can take the cliff walk and make your way down to Howth Harbour.  The last time I took this route it took me around 45mins to an hour.  It’s an ideal way to lead up to lunchtime because by the time you get down to the villiage you will have built up a hearty appetite and probably a fierce thirst! 

 There are no shortage of restaurants and bars.  Here are my favourites, with a brief description:

The Bloody Stream.  Situated just beneath Howth Dart Station.  My favourite day to visit here is a sunday afternoon when they normally have a roaring fire (in the winter time usually!).  My favourite is the chowder. 

 Findlaters.  A good spot at night.  The bar on the top floor has a nice patio with views over Howth Harbour and beyond to the Island of Ireland’s Eye.

The Waterside Pub.  A good pint of Guinness and very nice bar food.  If you want to eat something more substantial the Wheelhouse restaurant upstairs is a good choice.

Abbey Tavern.  This is a favourite for a lot of tourists passing through.  There is normally a traditional music session taking place.

The Cock Tavern.  A real local and a favourite for the fishermen off the boats.  The Guinness and the craic is great. 

For anyone looking for non-pub related activities there is plenty to do in Howth.  If you like golf, Deerpark Hotel has 2 18-hole public golf courses on it’s grounds, aswell as a par 3 course.  As far as public golf courses go, you can’t get better than this on a fine day.  The views are incredible.

On the driveway up to the golf courses, you can stop off at the old castle and visit the Transport Museum.  It’s small but very interesting.

A favourite for a lot of people on a sunny afternoon is to take an hour or two, get a 99 (ice cream) and just wander around the harbour.  There is plenty of activity to observe and the seals normally make an appearance.  There are plenty of boats to admire.  Our 2 paintings of the harbour and the lighthouse in the background are favourites of locals and visitors alike.

 We hope you visit Howth and we hope you like our artwork. 

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HomeLand Art has two paintings of scenes in County Kerry.  ”A Pub, County Kerry” is a very popular painting and would be ideal hanging in a kitchen or even a pub!

The pint of Guinness and the brown bread and butter (not necessarily together, though!) will always bring back fond memories of Ireland.  A quiet pub in the middle of the afternoon, with the sunlight shining in provides a great opportunity to catch up on some journal writing. We think the artist captures the scene beautifully.

The second painting we have of County Kerry is the “Pier at Dunquin“. Dunquin shares close ties with the once inhabited Blasket Islands.  This is the nearest point on the mainland from where supplies were brought onto the Blasket Islands. The Blaskets also fell under the same parish as Dunquin which is why the village is referred to as the “next parish to America”.

If you ever get a chance to visit the town of Dingle in County Kerry you must take the Sleagh Head drive!  It offers incredible views over the Atlantic Ocean to the Blasket Islands.  In the distance you can also see the magnificent Skellig Islands eight miles off the coast.  Just be aware that the road can get narrow and there are many bends in the road. You wont be in a rush anyway, so there’s nothing to worry about.  The drive will take you at least an hour, depending on how many times you stop.

When you get back to Dingle make sure you pay a visit to “Dick Mack’s” pub.  This is my favourite pub in the world. If you ask a local where Dick Mack’s is, they will tell you it’s opposite the church.  Then you ask them where the church is, they’ll say “it’s opposite Dick Mack’s”!  This is a little gem of a pub.  You will meet tourist and local alike here and you are likely to hear an impromtu ”trad session” any time of the day or night. There is no organised entertainment here. Anyone who walks in is welcome to pick up a guitar or a bodhrán and entertain the patrons. Oh, and by the way, the Guinness is great.   

If you are looking for a place to stay I would highly recommend Archways Bed and Breakfast. I have no ties to the B&B but I do stay here every time I visit Dingle and the owners, Justin and Marian, are very nice.  Wooden floors throughout and the rates are very reasonable. It’s only around the corner from Dick Mack’s too!

On another day, I would recommend that you take a visit up through the Conor Pass.  This route is one of the most panoramic driving routes on the Dingle Peninsula. As you are driving over the pass from Dingle, to your left you will see a deep valley formed by glaciers that came from semi circle corries.  One of the surrounding mountains you will see is the second highest in Ireland.  Mount Brandon stands nine hundred and fifty two metres.  The panoramic views from the top of the Conor Pass are breath taking. The only drawback is the possibility of dense mountain fog.  Check the weather forecast before you go.  You don’t want to be crawling up through the pass on a very narrow road only able to see twenty feet in front of you. I wouldn’t say that’s very enjoyable. A clear day will make all the difference.

For all you surfing fans out there, you will catch some nice four to five footers at Inch Beach.  If you head out of Dingle towards Kilorglin you will go through Inch. Don’t forget your wet suit!

I hope you found my article interesting and I hope you like our paintings.

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