Painting & Drawing in Ireland

Before the advent of photography drawing and sketching were the only way to record people, places and events.

Irish artists from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries are rightly famous; their work is highly prized and commands a high price on the international art market.

However it is often the work of amateur artists, particularly women artists, that is responsible for much of what we know about our country's past. Irish Victorian and Edwardian ladies took watercolours, particularly landscapes, interiors and views of gardens and flowers, to new heights.

Several Hidden Ireland houses continue this tradition, with painting courses and group painting weekends. This is an ideal way for beginners to learn to paint and draw while more experienced artists can develop new skills and new techniques. Everything takes place in the relaxed atmosphere of a historic Irish country house and its garden, a place where there is no shortage of subjects to suit all tastes and levels of experience, and where time stands still.

Mount Vernon is conveniently located for the Burren College of Art which runs a series of public talks, conferences, exhibitions and summer courses and also for the Burren painting centre in Lisdoonvarna.