Bantry’s restored Marino Church marked the centenary of the Fastnet Yacht Race over the weekend with an exhibition of paintings by artist and former TD Francis Noel Duffy.
The Fastnet, the Bull Rock, Sheep’s Head, Crookhaven, Copper Point, Mizen Head, Ardnakinna, Roancarrigmore, and Galley Head are among the lighthouses painted by Duffy on display at the exhibition.
Duffy has a background in architecture, and has explored abstraction and cubism through his art exhibitions over the past 30 years.
Artist Francis Noel Duffy showcases his lighthouse paintings at the restored Marino Church in Bantry, celebrating the Fastnet Yacht Race centenary. Exhibition runs until June 24th.
He has said that his work evolved as he explored the Cubist Epoch and the Modern Movement, where architecture and art challenged the concepts of their own cultural practice.
Galley Head attendant lightkeeper Gerald Butler, who was on duty during the 1979 Fastnet yacht race, was invited to launch the exhibition in the newly restored arts venue.
Duffy said that the series of lighthouses is part of a larger body of work which he is embarking on to capture all of Ireland’s lighthouses in their distinctive landscapes.
Duffy paid tribute to Diarmaid Murphy and Bantry Bay Port Company for “the wonderful venue, Marino Church, and Diarmaid’s work behind the scenes to host the exhibition”.
The exhibition continues in the Marino Church, Bantry, Co Cork until June 24th.
