Artists descend on Fingal for third Dublin Plein Air Painting Festival

Artists from all over the world will descend on Fingal next week for the third Dublin Plein Air Painting Festival which will run from June 17 to 23.

The seven day festival is the premier outdoor painting event in Ireland and this year has attracted 160 artists from USA, Canada, England and Ireland. They will paint each day at a number of locations in Fingal as well as attending workshops with some of Ireland’s best artists including Kate Kos, Una Sealy RHA, Blaise Smith RHA, Dave West and Neal Greig AURA.

The Dublin Plein Air Painting Festival is supported by Fingal County Council and will bring art to all corners of the county with Farmleigh House, Swords Castle, Skerries Harbour, Malahide Castle & Gardens, The 12th Lock Royal Canal, Donabate Beach and Balbriggan Harbour being the venues for this year’s event.

At the conclusion of the Festival on Sunday, June 23, the artists will hold a ‘Quickpaint’ competition in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland with the artists being challenged to complete a painting in two hours.

At the end of each festival day the artists will display their paintings on easels and prizes will be awarded. The paintings will also be available for sale to the public giving art lovers a great opportunity to buy directly from the artist.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, said it was great to see the Dublin Plein Air Painting Festival going from strength to strength. “The Dublin Plein Air Painting Festival is now in its third year and continuing to attract a large number of artists from home and abroad to enjoy our beautiful scenery. The week will be a major boost to the local tourism industry and I hope all those involved enjoy their stay in Fingal.”

Fingal County Council’s Arts Officer Rory O’Byrne said: “We have a wonderful coastline, harbours, countryside and history that all lend to the unique experience that is Fingal. The feedback from participants over the past two years has been very encouraging and this is reflected by the increase in numbers for 2019. Each year we try to improve the offering and this year we are delighted to have so many established artists taking part in the workshops as well as new locations like Farmleigh.”

Paul D’Arcy of the Dublin Plein Air Festival said: “I would like to thank Fingal County Council for its continuing support of the Dublin Plein Air Festival. It is an event that is growing and getting better each year and there is also a wonderful opportunity for the public to come along and watch the artists at work before having the opportunity to buy their painting at the exhibition that is held at the end of each day.”

The Interim Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “Fingal County Council is committed to promoting cultural and activity tourism through Fingal Tourism and this festival is doing precisely that. We are delighted that our support has allowed the Dublin Plein Air Festival to grow over the past three years and I am looking forward to meeting the participants and seeing how they interpret the beautiful locations that have been selected this year.”

The Dublin Plein Air Painting Festival takes place from Monday, June 17 to Sunday, June 23 and further information is available from https://www.dublinpleinair.ie/

ENDS:

For further information please contact [email protected] or [email protected]