Published: Wednesday, 18th August, 2010 5:00pm

Fleadh art exhibition is bursting with 'Pride'

Jimmy Mulcahy and Brian Connolly admiring one of the pieces at the opening of the Pride exhibition. Photo: Alex Coleman.

There was a real sense of pride at the official opening of the exhibition 'Pride' in the old Anglo-Celt print rooms last Friday evening - pride that Cavan was hosting the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, pride in our Irish culture and heritage and above all pride in the captivating works of art that local artists had created reflecting our Irish history, identity and culture.

The exhibition, which will run throughout the week of the fleadh, was officially opened by Joe Keenan of the Blue Wall Gallery. This was one of the first of scores of fleadh events and initiatives to be launched. Commending all of the artists involved, Joe encouraged the audience to take time to look at each piece and consider the work and detail that had gone into it; and also the themes and meaning the pieces conveyed. Despite the recessionary times, Joe also encouraged those present to "make the leap" and purchase any piece that really moved them. He reminded those present that this was the best way of supporting artists and the arts and ensuring that they could continue this important work.

The atmosphere for the occasion was set with - what else - a good dose of traditional Irish music, provided by Cavan's very own music man, Martin Donohoe and family; while fleadh president, Seamus Fay, was on hand to lilt a tune.

Other speakers at the event included Catriona O'Reilly, arts officer for county Cavan; cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Dessie Boylan (FG); Cavan Mayor Paddy O'Reilly (FG) and Linda O'Reilly, editor of The Anglo-Celt newspaper. All were generous in their praise of the artists involved and excited about the fleadh during the week ahead.

Pride is an exhibition from ten Cavan artists who participated in the recent Mórtas an Chabháin Temporary Installations project.

The artists' pieces are personal considerations of the meaning of the fleadh and a celebration in visual arts of Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann, the primary gathering for our traditional culture annually.

It includes traditional art forms such as paintings and sculpture and video installations.

Each artist will provide a number of pieces that represents their current practice.

The participating artists are Joey Burns, wood sculptor; Ross Cochrane; Padraig Cahill, creator of the Four Players on Farnham Road; Niamh Smyth, with maps on coloured perspex in the theme of lyrical urban landscape; Edwin Lynch, head of the art department at Cavan Institute; Mountnugent artist, Tina Quinn; performance artist, Sally O'Dowd; Killeshandra artist, Laura O'Connor; Cavan artist, Anne O'Reilly; and video artist, James Burns.

Pride is an exciting and eclectic mix from this talented group of Cavan artists. For more pictures, see page 42

• The exhibition runs until Sunday, August 22, daily from 10am to 6pm in The Anglo-Celt buildings.