July 28, 2011

Malachy Costello - 'Selected Paintings' exhibition Boyle

Malachy Costello - Artist


Currently exhibiting in Boyle, Malachy Costello was born in Roscommon, in 1959. He is a graduate of Crawford Municipal School of Art, Cork and the Sligo Institute of Technology. His paintings are inspired by the landscapes of North Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo.

Since he first began exhibiting his work in 1983, Malachy Costello has participated in numerous exhibitions all over Ireland and abroad. He has had solo shows in Foxford Exhibition Centre, Mayo, Dolmen Gallery, Limerick, Castle Art Gallery, Sligo and in the Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon. In October 2007 he held a Solo exhibition at the Leinster Gallery entitled "A Particular Place" which featured landscapes from around his native county of Roscommon. He has contributed to several group exhibitions including the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, the RHA, Oireachtas and the RUA annual exhibitions.

In 2000 his painting Winter Garden was awarded the J.P. Duggan Prize for Outstanding Work at the Carlow Eigse Arts Festival.

His works are in the public collections of M.B.N.A., Co. Leitrim, Sligo VEC, the Municipal Collection in Cesson-Sevigne, France, as well as in many private collections in Ireland, Britain, Holland and USA.

In association with Boyle Arts Festival, Malachy's exhibition runs until 31st July.
Malachy Costello

July 27, 2011

Saramai & The Swords play Boyle Arts Festival

Saramai and The Swords

These ladies have seriously upped their game since I saw them last year. Saramai and The Swords fronted by aka Saramai and Joy Booth with Cormac O'Keeffe - Lead Guitar/Vocals, Andrew Snow - Drums Vocals & Paddy Smyth - Bass, are an exceptionally gifted group and a very nice bunch of young musicians to-boot. Great gig tonight in The Patrick's Well in Boyle.

Check out last year's shot.

July 23, 2011

Fregoli perform in Boyle

Fregoli Theatre Company 2011

A very fine performance of 'The Secret Life of Me', performed by the Galway based Fregoli Theatre Company. A thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking drama which, from a male perspective, goes some way to illuminating the difference between what women say and what women think! An effective marriage of monologues, music and lighting, beautifully choreographed - I loved it. Well done to all.

July 20, 2011

Ballina Salmon Festival 2011

UP ... almost.jpg
I got to visit my home town, Ballina, for Heritage Day last Wednesday during the Salmon Festival. The weather was a perfect 25°, blue sky and glorious sunshine. Unfortunately we paid the price with the relentless rain that followed for five consecutive days! As ever, this was a fun family day and I snapped a few candids for the album with my LX5. For some reason, this one reminded me of the movie 'UP'.

Fathers and Sons
Fathers and Sons - Self, with my Father and son.


Photos: LX5

July 18, 2011

Siobhan Cox-Carlos at the Sol Gallery Dublin

Siobhan Carlos Exhibit

My good friend, artist Siobhan Cox-Carlos, is currently exhibiting her most recent paintings at The Sol Art Gallery, Dawson St. Dublin. I was delighted to meet her there and see the work. Her large paintings, done during a residency at Annaghmakerrig, are particularly striking. My favourite was 'Presence', pictured above with the artist herself. Best of luck with the exhibition Siobhan.


Photo: Taken with a Lumix LX5

World's Biggest Glitter Ball

Glitter Ball Blackpool

Until recently, Blackpool held the record for the highest rollercoaster in Europe, and now it holds the record for the world’s largest rotating glitter ball. Located on the South Shore sculptural development, the glitter ball is visible for miles around from the air, and gives an amazing light show on the pavement around it. With the slightly curious name, “They Shoot Horses Don’t They”, after a 1960s film and song by a Welsh group called 'Racing Cars'. The ball was designed by artist Michael Trainor and commissioned by the Manchester-based Art Department.

The revolving artwork, featuring 46,500 mirrors, is a permanent fixture on the resort's South Promenade.
The glitterball beat a 2.4m-diameter ball in a Los Angeles nightclub to the world record.
When installed, the artist said: "Hopefully it will be seen as a new icon for Blackpool and the region, and is probably the shiniest artwork in the world (obviously never heard of Anish Kapoor!). "Every second of every day the mirrored facets give a different view of the environment - sea, sky, traffic, trams and promenaders all wrapped up in one mesmorising, moving image."

The glitterball was officially switched on in 2002 by Baron Isherwood, the North West Development Agency Director of Regeneration.



Photo: 'Shite-light' they call it. Taken just before dawn at 4.20 am. July 8th. I should have stayed in bed!! ISO 100. 4 second exposure @ f/10. A lot of noise about nothing if you ask me!! In case you haven't twigged it yet, Blackpool is the 'ballroom' capital of England and the dancing that goes on in the 'Tower' is a pretty serious affair. The Tower is currently closed to the public for long overdue renovations but will reopen in the Autumn to coincided with the annual 'Illuminations' season. Wouldn't mind being there for that!
ps; photos of the Tower later.

July 17, 2011

Light and Rain

Blackpool 101


I've been neglecting this space for a while but once again, I'm returning with some new work and hope to have a productive Summer too.
The above shot was taken recently during a trip to England. The seaside town of Blackpool on a mid-week, wet evening was an interesting and challenging subject. I spent about two hours walking about in the rain looking for combinations of street-lights and reflections. This type of shot has made me see the value of investing in a decent umbrella. Here's another one taken from the left of the frame.


Just to remind new visitors to this blog, this is a personal photo diary, the images here are very much 'snapshots' from my wanderings. Images receive very little PP and are visual sketches only. Feel free to comment but don't be offended when comments are not published. My gratitude to regular visitors, I'm glad you have the interest to return and comment so frequently. T