Baile mo shinsir / My ancestral home
Original Painting
Medium: A palette knife oil painting on canvas.
Size: 0” x0”
Tully fort, Tully being from the Irish relating to a hill, is the last remaining of the McKenna forts. This wonderful oasis of ancient soil is surrounded by a thicket of hazel trees, with some quite large hawthorns intermingled along its almost perfect circular border. The Hazel tree interestingly, is associated with wisdom in Irish lore and so appropriate to a place that echoes the energy and knowledge of ancestors. Here, between the 12th and 17th Centuries, the McKennas, were one the most prominent families in North County Monaghan, their lands known as a Barony of the Ring Forts, or Tríucha chead an chladaigh. The day I visited, I was lucky enough to meet the farmer, busy at work in the fields and he was more than happy to allow me access to this wonderful site. There is a strange and almost tangible energy, standing in a place where you know for certain, your ancestors lived, and I felt honoured to do so. My only regret was wearing three-quarter length trousers, as my legs were literally buzzing from all the nettle stings, but every sting was worth it!
During the exhibition dates this painting may be purchased from the Ìontas Art Centre. Email: marketing@iontascastleblayney.ie or Call: 042 975 3400