Murt McGarry
An exhibition of drawings and Illustrations
In association with Wexford County Council
Wexford Arts Centre
Sunday 4th – Wednesday 14th August, 2024
Opening Launch: Sunday 4th August at 12pm
Guest Speaker: Mayor George Lawlor
Featuring a performance by musician John Murphy
All welcome to attend. Refreshments served.
Coinciding with this year’s Fleadh, Wexford Arts Centre, in partnership with Wexford County Council, is delighted to present an exhibition of work from the late artist and illustrator, Murt McGarry of Kilmore Quay. This collection of work is presented in collaboration with the McGarry family and offers some of the finest examples of the artist’s drawings and illustrations.
Murt McGarry had a deep interest in Irish history and folklore and worked on a freelance basis, supplying illustrations to the likes of Ireland’s Own magazine and producing the drawings for the Irish National Heritage Park. He cared a lot for the environment, being passionate about trees in particular, Murt was ahead of his time in terms of climate action and wholeheartedly disagreed with excessive felling of mature trees. Some of his most notable pieces are illustrations of age-old trees along with poetry in their defence. He had a love for traditional music and played the tin whistle and the bodhran. He attended each Fleadh in Ireland and would be very proud to see it come to Wexford this year. Murt also worked on a Celtic history book, ‘Strangers at Home’ which went to the printers shortly before he died in 2006. He has been described as a gentle soul who was blessed with a poetic outlook on life. This exhibition offers an insight into the artist’s practice through a selection of drawings and illustrations.
Gallery opening hours are Sunday 4th to Wednesday 14th August from 10am – 5pm.
The exhibition is supported by Wexford County Council. Wexford Arts Centre is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Wexford County Council.
For further information on the exhibition or artist Murt McGarry, contact Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford, on +353 (0)53 91 23764 or email info@wexfordartscentre.ie.
