Seeing the light in the dark

When the world started to slow down one of the more positive outcomes was that many people started to take notice of the beauty and splendour around them. Artist Mairead Lynch from Kilnaleck would already have had an eye for the aesthetically pleasing, but that appreciation was sharpened by the change of pace.

Mairead explained: “In March of last year, just after the country went into lockdown, I was in my home. I looked out my window to see the most beautiful sun shining in my back garden. It was very dramatic with many unusual colours; purple, pink and yellow,” the artist tells the Celt.

This inspiration encouraged her to explore a new medium: “I went and got my camera and took some photos of it. I was inspired by its beauty to go out early evening around the townland and capture the sun going down.

“Some of the places I went to include Crover, Kilnahard, Ballynarry, Mullahoran, Ballinagh, Drumbee, Aughawee and Crosserlough,” Mairead tells.

The artist is now set to display the fruits of her labour in a pop up exhibition in Cavan town: “The photos can be viewed in the old Crannóg bookshop window on the town's Main Street across from Dunnes Stores from the March 22 until March 29,” she says.

Mairead has received great support to bring her work to public attention: “I would like to thank Paul [Connolly] for giving me the opportunity to display my photos in his window. I would also like to Catriona O'Reilly for her encouragement.”

With regard to the lockdown Mairead says she has made the most of a bad situation: “My experience of going out early evening has given me great hope, joy and peace and a deeper appreciation for life all around.”