Declan O' Mahony -Declan O' Mahony Visual Artist-Projects

Aug. 2023: The title of this painting is ‘Eat Your Cake’. It was crafted using discarded sheep’s wool, oil paint, and clear varnish. The painting was selected by Tracton Arts Centre, County Cork for their annual summer Biodiversity Weekend Exhibition. This work’s concept is based on the proverb “You can’t have your cake and eat it”! This refers directly to how humans continue to live in ways that are destructive to the natural world.

Dec 2022 : The **ORIEL** is an ancient place in the north eastern corner of Ireland with a very rich and diverse geological and cultural history. Down through the ages the landscape that surrounds us impresses itself on our human existence. Artists in the diverse forms of poetry, music, dance, stories continue to translate these conscious and subconscious impressions. The renowned fiddle player from Dundalk, **Gerry O’Connor**, has been playing the music of the Oriel all over the world for over four decades. **Gilles le Bigot**, one of Brittany’s top grade guitarists, has enhanced this ancient music with his masterful accompaniment. It was a great honour to collaborate with graphic design artist Kasia Uszczynska and offer up the album cover for this marvellous collection of music entitled, **LIVE IN ORIEL**, launched on December 15th in the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris. Image LHS is the original painting that inspired the cover design. The album can be purchased from www.gerryoconnor.net and www.gilleslebigot.com

May 2022 : Birds eye view of Ireland’s unique inland river forest delta ‘The Gearagh’ as featured in the 2014 documentary film RIVER RUNNER. This film led to the SAVE THE LEE SOURCE TO SEA campaign which is an ongoing petition to the Irish Government to reverse the damage done to this river forest in 1957 and to allow free passage for the wild Atlantic salmon on the twin dammed river Lee system. As environmental damage awareness grows, especially amongst younger generations of Corkonians, the authorities are moving closer to understanding and preserving this natural gem. Further information here on this site under the ARCHIVE link and the film RIVER RUNNER DOCUMENTARY can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube.

February 1st. 2022 : Announcing the release and roll out of the New Beginning Limited Edition, Original Songs and Stories, today on Lá Fhéile Bríd (St Brigid’s Day/ Imbolc). The digital and hard copy versions of this project are now available exclusively from this site. As the mega giants of the global music industry force independent artists into their over-loaded net, leaving very few realistic “fair trade” options for “non main stream” productions, this project sets a different course. Artists, musicians, engineers, designers, book printers have contributed their expertise to give the listener the “old school all round experience” of immersing oneself in an album of songs and stories. The album has been defined by a very experienced music lover as a PROTEST ALBUM. It is most certainly that and I hope more. Without protest there can be no progress. In the spirit of the pre-Christian Imbolc festival and Ireland’s first national festival honouring a female saint, St Brigid, Let the **new beginning** begin. Beir Bua.

October 2021: The original song “Bockity Town” was written in 2001 and recorded in 2021. The video, directed by grafik and film maestro Jack O’Flynn, premiered at the Dublin International Short Film & Music Festival on October 10th in the Sugar Club in Dublin and was nominated for Best Music Video. Florian Zappra and his DISFMF team have successfully run this Independent Festival for the past ten years, bringing together independent artists from around the world to the Irish capitol. View under FILM link.

September 2021: Announcing the launch of an album of original songs entitled NEW BEGINNING, conceived and created during 2020. A limited edition booklet with lyrics, graphics and content insights will be available from this site from October 10th 2021. — September 2021: Announcing the launch of an album of original songs entitled NEW BEGINNING, conceived and created during 2020. A limited edition booklet with lyrics, graphics and content insights will be available from this site from February 1st 2022. This project is a throw back to days long past when ‘buying and album of music’ was an experience for the senses. In collaboration with a recording engineer, a graphic designer and two print professionals this limited edition booklet carries an eclectic mix of songs crafted in different genres of music. Look, listen, feel, a New Beginning!

July 2021 : During the roll out of the New Beginning project a whole new world opened up. Pathological Demand Avoidance, PDA is a pervasive developmental disorder. It is rare and even in professional circles rather unknown. Children that are born with PDA suffer terrible anxiety and fear. The simplest task can frighten them. It is closely connected to autism which in our society is viewed in an embarrassingly negative light. In fact autistic people are very much excluded by our so-called ‘normal society’. Collaborating with some of Irelands finest musicians and singers, two original dedicated songs were recorded and are due for release. Using art, music and reconnecting with woodland, streams and the ocean, SAME ONLY DIFFERENT sets out to break down, where possible fear and anxiety. SOD shall act as a bridge across the waters of exclusion, that separate us as human beings. Here is a taster of the songs PERFECT CHILD and NORMIE. The release date will be announced on this site and on all other platforms very soon.

JUNE 21, 2021 : The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the first dedicated indigenous woodland museum in Ireland brought a host of wonderful people together to celebrate our natural heritage in this ancient place. Song writers, farmers, decorators, food specialists, story tellers, fishermen, contributed stories, poetry and song. Independent projects like this bring like minded people together who are dedicated to reversing the damage that we collectively have caused to the fabric of the blue planet. Master bards and musicians Tadgh deBrún and Connor O’Sullivan rehearse for the celebration.

Thank you for checking out New Beginning. Four brand new musical taster tracks can be listened to here. These songs I wrote during 2020. They are a development of the Quercus Robur project, dedicated to Mick Ryan, which is explained below on this News page. Sincere thanks to master musician, composer and engineer Conor O ‘Sullivan for taking the songs out of my back pocket and into a whole new realm. Thanks also to the grand maestro of the double bass Martin Brunsden. His magic can be heard on Oh Yew. If you would like a personal digital high quality recording, please click on the PURCHASE link at the top of this site.

2020: This painting is dedicated to all those who lost loved ones during this sad, dark and fearful year. It is an artwork that marks for me a new beginning. The human race has been severely challenged. There is no “going back” to non stop production and relentless accumulation of wealth ! A glorious opportunity has been forced upon us. We have to embrace a new sustainable mode of living together on the blue planet and learn from the grave failure of “take-take-take”! We know now that this simply does not work. I look forward to further collaborations with farmers, anglers, composers, story tellers, musicians etc. in the coming year on a project entitled NEW BEGINNING.

2019 - 2020

Ballygrace wood lies in a steep glen on the outskirts of one of Cork’s most historic townlands. With 115 listed ancient monuments and evidence of human settlement dating back 4000 years, Churchtown is one of the richest archaeological areas in the s… — Ballygrace wood lies in a steep glen on the outskirts of one of Cork’s most historic townlands. With 115 listed ancient monuments and evidence of human settlement dating back 4000 years, Churchtown is one of the richest archaeological areas in the south of Ireland. To honour the magnificent work of a dear friend Michael Ryan, who worked tirelessly as a UN Engineer in some of the poorest parts of the world and lost his life in the tragic Ethiopian 2019 air crash, an indigenous seven-year-old oak tree was planted. This simple concept unleashed a whole series of magically related events. The clearance of over a dozen non-native sitka spruce trees; the un-silting and first-time naming of the local stream, “An Tamaillín”, its meaning in English, ‘The short moment’; the re-wilding of the woodland floor, once smothered and lifeless under the 40 year old sitka canopy; the cleaning and installation of a whole range of boulders full of ancient fossils dating back 360 million years; cleaning and mounting of ancient oak, larch and bog oak tree roots which echo the hidden past of the mighty ancient trees growing here since the ice melted 10,000 years ago; the discovery of the European eel, a healthy resident in the Ballygrace pond but originated some three years ago in the Saragossa Sea; the documentation by a professional entomologist of 54 different moth species; the composition of a musical score by local musicians marking this indigenous planting project in Michael’s honour. Currently the renovation of Irelands very first indigenous woodland museum. August 2020. Image : reclaimed ancient bog-oak, carved by Ballygrace Woodland Master, Noel Linehan.

June 2020 : With under 2% of native tree cover in Ireland this is an ongoing project of re-wilding and community learning about the bounties of the ancient countryside.

2017 / ‘18

From October 2017 - June 2018 O’Mahony staged the “Source To Sea” project. Collaborating with a wide range of people from the source of the river Lee to the sea at Cork Harbour, diverse contributions ( documented here under SITES ) highlighted the i… — From October 2017 - June 2018 O’Mahony staged the “Source To Sea” project. Collaborating with a wide range of people from the source of the river Lee to the sea at Cork Harbour, diverse contributions ( documented here under SITES ) highlighted the importance of protecting our natural heritage.

2016

Selected from the Office of Public Works National Colllection the polymer work on plate acrylic in the DLr Lexicon Gallery Dun Laoighre Dublin. The Exhibition entitled Finders and Keepers was curated by Dublin artist Claire Halpin and fourteen local… — Selected from the Office of Public Works National Colllection the polymer work on plate acrylic in the DLr Lexicon Gallery Dun Laoighre Dublin. The Exhibition entitled Finders and Keepers was curated by Dublin artist Claire Halpin and fourteen local residents.

2015

Director Of Environmental Pillar Ireland Michael Ewing presents the Outstanding Individual Award at Cork Environmental Forums 20th Annual Award Ceremony for directing RIVER RUNNER and initiating and managing the “Free The River Lee” Campaign 2015

November 20th Official opening of the newly designed ER UNIT at the Cork University Maternity Hospital

2014

Awarded commission for the front facade of the Royal Ulster Hospital, Belfast.

2014

2013

Virtus, a short film documentary on creativity, wins Best Irish Short at Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival. Directed by Declan O’Mahony.

2012

Enniskillen Hanging of work 14 May.Installation of commissioned work at the New Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh. — Enniskillen Hanging of work 14 May.
Installation of commissioned work at the New Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh.

2011

28 September. Opening of North South Ministerial Building in Armagh.(L-R, NSMC Northern Secretary Mary Bunting, Declan O’Mahony (Artist),Carál Ni Chuilín Northern Assembly Minister Culture Arts & Leisure City of Armagh, Jimmy Deenihan Minister T… — 28 September. Opening of North South Ministerial Building in Armagh.
(L-R, NSMC Northern Secretary Mary Bunting, Declan O’Mahony (Artist),
Carál Ni Chuilín Northern Assembly Minister Culture Arts & Leisure City of Armagh, Jimmy Deenihan Minister Tourism Culture Sport).

28 September. View of artworks by Declan O’Mahony from the second floor of the North South Ministerial Building in Armagh.

14th April. Opening night at the Peppercannister Gallery in Dublin where works dating from 1991-2011 went on show

Peppercannister Gallery Installation View

Kelp Box 2, which was purchased by the OPW at the exhibition.

2010

EigseFrom the outside looking in: an exterior view of the free standing Acrylic Box Painting entitled ‘RED SAILS’ at the Éigse Retrospective Exhibition in the recently opened VISUAL Contemporary Arts Centre in Carlow. — Eigse
From the outside looking in: an exterior view of the free standing Acrylic Box Painting entitled ‘RED SAILS’ at the Éigse Retrospective Exhibition in the recently opened VISUAL Contemporary Arts Centre in Carlow.

The Cork University Maternity Hospital is a newly constructed award winning building with curving facades and lots of natural light. Three of O’Mahony’s most recent large scale digital colour prints are now permanently installed in the Aisling Suite… — The Cork University Maternity Hospital is a newly constructed award winning building with curving facades and lots of natural light. Three of O’Mahony’s most recent large scale digital colour prints are now permanently installed in the Aisling Suite in the South West wing.

2008

BLOOPERSUASIONThe painting BLOOPERSUASION installed at Bank of Ireland’s Economic Headquarters, Mespil Road, Dublin. — BLOOPERSUASION
The painting BLOOPERSUASION installed at Bank of Ireland’s Economic Headquarters, Mespil Road, Dublin.

The painting ONEIRO installed at Bank of Ireland’s Economic Headquarters, Mespil Road, Dublin.

2007

Arte Cinema, NapoliThe introductory speech at the 13th annual Artecinema Festival in Naples with director Barry McCarthy, translator Donatella Baggio and Galerist and Festival Organiser Laura Trisorio. O’Mahony is the first Irish artist to be invite… — Arte Cinema, Napoli
The introductory speech at the 13th annual Artecinema Festival in Naples with director Barry McCarthy, translator Donatella Baggio and Galerist and Festival Organiser Laura Trisorio. O’Mahony is the first Irish artist to be invited to this prestigious International Art Film Festival. Artecinema celebrates high end innovation in art, architecture and photography from around the world. The film MAKING PICTURES was also screened at the Corona Cork Film Festival and the Irish Film Festival Boston USA 2007.

2006

The Eigse Arts Festival, Carlow has been in existence for over twenty years and has highlighted some of the finest visual artists from around the world. Twelve of O’Mahony’s most recent creations ‘THE eLOOMZ SERIES’ were featured during the 2006 exh… — The Eigse Arts Festival, Carlow has been in existence for over twenty years and has highlighted some of the finest visual artists from around the world. Twelve of O’Mahony’s most recent creations ‘THE eLOOMZ SERIES’ were featured during the 2006 exhibition.

2004

Bloo PersuasionThe painting ‘Bloo Persuasion’, acquired by the Bank of Ireland’s public collection, was used as the cover image for the calendar in 2004. — Bloo Persuasion
The painting ‘Bloo Persuasion’, acquired by the Bank of Ireland’s public collection, was used as the cover image for the calendar in 2004.

Bank of Ireland’s Arts CentreInspiration Day was the artists title for his 2005 solo exhibition at the Bank of Ireland’s Arts Centre in the heart of Dublin. This is one of the capitol’s most established venues for all kinds of musical performances, … — Bank of Ireland’s Arts Centre
Inspiration Day was the artists title for his 2005 solo exhibition at the Bank of Ireland’s Arts Centre in the heart of Dublin. This is one of the capitol’s most established venues for all kinds of musical performances, readings and fine art exhibitions. Several of
O’Mahony’s works are included in the Bank’s Public Collection and on view in Patrick Street,
Cork and Mespil Rd., Dublin.

2002

Bank of Ireland Cork CitySarah Kelly, senior partner with Kelly Barry O’Brien Architects, Cork selected this relief acrylic work which is suspended in the customer service lobby in Bank of Ireland’s, HQ in Cork City. — Bank of Ireland Cork City
Sarah Kelly, senior partner with Kelly Barry O’Brien Architects, Cork selected this relief acrylic work which is suspended in the customer service lobby in Bank of Ireland’s, HQ in Cork City.

2000

Biennale del SudDuring the Biennale del Sud, O’Mahony’s work came to the attention of the Neapolitanart curator Lucia Maffei, and that of the Regional Cultural Director, Rachele Furfaro. In herintroduction to the ‘Frozen Flurry’ exhibition catalogue… — Biennale del Sud
During the Biennale del Sud, O’Mahony’s work came to the attention of the Neapolitan
art curator Lucia Maffei, and that of the Regional Cultural Director, Rachele Furfaro. In her
introduction to the ‘Frozen Flurry’ exhibition catalogue, Senora Furfaro writes …
‘O’Mahony has chosen Naples as his adopted City and we wish to fully acknowledge
his citizenship by promoting on behalf of the City and Regional Councils this important
one-man show’. The exhibition was officially opened by the Irish Ambassador to Italy,
His Excellency Frank Cogan.

Richland County Library, North CarolinaO’Mahony has had close connections to American and Canadian Art since the early 1980’s. He has completed several commissions in the USA. The painting entitled PONDSY was donated to the award winning Richland Co… — Richland County Library, North Carolina
O’Mahony has had close connections to American and Canadian Art since the early 1980’s. He has completed several commissions in the USA. The painting entitled PONDSY was donated to the award winning Richland County Library, North Carolina by Mrs. Ed Bagwell and was featured in the 2000 Annual Report Calendar.

1999

1998

After the fall of the Berlin Wall the Commerzbank Berlin restructured and redesigned many of their buildings during the late 90’s. Commerzbank have a long tradition of involvement with Fine Art. Their interior architect Carsten Gzendek installed sev… — After the fall of the Berlin Wall the Commerzbank Berlin restructured and redesigned many of their buildings during the late 90’s. Commerzbank have a long tradition of involvement with Fine Art. Their interior architect Carsten Gzendek installed several of O’Mahony’s fiberglass paper paintings in the Koepenik HQ and 14 works were
installed on all four levels of the Neubrandenburg Bank.

1994

The Irish Institute for European AffairsThe Irish Institute for European Affairs has it’s base in Leuven near Brussels in Belgium. O’Mahonystaged an exhibition of 60 paintings there during 1994 which was officially opened by his Excellencythe Irish … — The Irish Institute for European Affairs
The Irish Institute for European Affairs has it’s base in Leuven near Brussels in Belgium. O’Mahony
staged an exhibition of 60 paintings there during 1994 which was officially opened by his Excellency
the Irish Ambassador to Belgium, Padraic Craddok and Belgian author and art critic Chake Matossian.

1991

1988