PAINTINGS BY URSULA BOYLAN O'GARA

 

No. 1 RONAN O’GARA - 2002

 

Rugby Union International

Cork Constitution - Munster - Ireland - Lions

Oil on canvas 30ins x 34ins

 

 

No. 2 SHARBAT GULA  - 2002

 

National Geographic Photographer Steve McCurry's missing Afghan refugee girl found after seventeen years searching for her since he first photographed her when she was about fourteen years old. My painting is an interpretation of how she might have looked at twenty-years-old.

Oil on canvas 16ins x 20ins

 

 

No. 3 THE IRISH CIVIL WAR  - 2001

 

Title by kind permission of Tim Pat Coogan

Author of  "The Irish Civil War"

On the morning of the 30th June, 1922, Free State Troops, manning the 18-pounder field gun at the intersection of Winetavern St. and Merchants' Quay, observe the massive explosion of the main munitions dump in the cellars beneath the Public Records Office in the Four Courts, Dublin.

Oil on canvas board 20ins x 30ins

 

 

No. 4 UNKNOWN AFGHAN REFUGEE BOY  - 2002

 

At the beginning of the Afghan war against the Taliban, this photograph appeared in the Irish Independent newspaper.

The boy seemed as if he was about to burst into tears and he looked so lost and miserable.   I resisted placing a tear under his eye and decided his expression said it all.

Oil on canvas 16ins x 20ins

 

 

 

No. 5 MICHAEL (Mick) KINANE - 1987

 

Champion Jockey

I am also fond of equine subjects and I painted this picture in 1987.   I always loved horses, dogs and all animals.   The anatomy of a horse is a joy to paint.    Michael Kinane needs no introduction by me, he is already a legend.

Oil on canvas board 25ins x 30ins

 

 

No. 6 MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA 1987

 

I don't have to introduce this wonderful human being to anyone.   She was such a challenge to paint - such distinctive features and character.   I placed the baby in her arms as she saved so many infants during her selfless lifetime.

Oil on board 16ins x 20ins

 

 

No. 7 ALCAZAR DE SEGOVIA, SPAIN  -1963

 

I first saw this castle/fortress in 1959 when I visited Spain for the first time.    I did some drawings of it and finally painted it in 1963.   I have painted it three times as mentioned in my biog.   I was very fond of Spanish themes back then.

Oil on wood 32 ins.  x 24 ins

 

 

No.8 CHINESE LOTUS HARVESTERS - 1987

 

This painting is based on a photograph given to me by a lady years ago who spent many years living in China.   She left Ireland to live abroad again and I have no idea of her present whereabouts.    I didn't find time to paint it until 1987.

Oil on board 15ins x 20ins

 

 

No.9 WEST OF IRELAND SCENE

This view of Maam Valley is to be seen from the road about three miles east of Maam Bridge coming from Cornamona towards Leenane.

The water is where Lough Corrib starts with the Maam River flowing into it.

 

 

Oil on board 12ins. x 24ins.

 

 

No. 10 THE KING’S MESSENGER  - 2001

Commission

 

Based on the oil painting by Richard Beavis (1824-96)

British photographer Vincent St. Lawrence Haslam commissioned this oil painting.  His life-long friend, Commander Keith Simmons, R.N. (Rtd.) was a member of the Corps of Queen's Messengers.   My interpretation is somewhat different to the painting by Richard Beavis. I have painted an after-blizzard scene as opposed to a storm scene in the original.   The  Beavis horse was black.

Oil on canvas 16ins x 20ins

 

 

No. 11   MASATOSHI NAKAYAMA  - 2001

 

Japan Karate Association Performing the Kata  ("Viewing the Sky") at Shimodo, Izu Peninsula, at daybreak.

I try to find unusual subjects to paint whenever I can and this oil painting is one of them.     I have a particular interest in this one as I was an exponent of judo and karate in the fifties and sixties.   Masatoshi Nakayama is counted amongst the great masters of oriental martial arts.

Oil on canvas 16ins x 20ins

 

 

 

No.12 STREET URCHINS OF GEORGIAN DUBLIN - 1985

 

I remember seeing a photograph of some street children years ago.    So this painting is from a freehand drawing and the painting developed as I went along.    It looks rather Draconian and that was the intention.

Oil on board - 12 ins x 16ins

 

 

No. 13 AUTUMN IN VERMONT - 2002

Commission

 

 In 1993, my late mother May Guilfoyle Boylan visited New England and asked me to paint this scene for her.     Sadly I never had time to paint it in her lifetime.     I have recently painted it for another lovely lady, Linda O'Gara in Ballisodare, Co. Sligo and I feel sure my mother approves!

Oil on board - 12 ins x 10ins

 

 

No. 14 THE BAILY LIGHTHOUSE, HOWTH, DUBLIN BAY - 2002

 

The Original light on Howth Head 1667 was replaced by a tower in 1790 and discontinued when the present structure was built at Baily 1814.   The Baily Lighthouse was the last lighthouse in Ireland to be made automatic on March 3rd, 1997, it flashes white every twenty seconds.

I love this aerial view of The Baily and it was so enjoyable to paint.

 

Original photograph with kind permission of John Eagle Photography, No. 25C Irish Lighthouse Series, with the assistance of Irish Lights and Capt. Mick Henessey of Irish Helicopters.

Oil on canvas - 36 ins x 26ins


http://www.johneaglephotography.com

 

 

No. 15 ROUNDING THE FASTNET - 2002

 

The yacht  "The Irish Independent" was the all-over winner of the Admiral's Cup in 1987.     Many thanks to Skipper Tom Power, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dunlaoghaire, Co. Dublin, for his assistance with detail.   My thanks also to W.M. Nixon, yachting correspondent of  'Afloat' magazine

Oil on canvas - 29 ins x 29ins

 

 

No. 16 THE WEST PIER LIGHTHOUSE, DUNLAOGHAIRE, CO. DUBLIN - 2002

Commission

 

No. 46 in the Irish Lighthouse series.

The smaller of the two lighthouses at the entrance to Dun Laoghaire Harbour.    It was established 24th September, 1852.  It became unwatched 1930 and the fixed red light changed to three red flashes every ten seconds.   In 1933 this became every 7.5 seconds.

 

With kind permission of John Eagle Photography with the assistance of Commissioners of Irish Lights.

 

Oil on board - 12 ins x 10ins

 

http://www.johneaglephotography.com

 

eaglejr@indigo.ie

 

 

 

No. 17 ROCHE’S POINT LIGHTHOUSE - 2002

Commission

 

No. 12 in the Irish Lighthouse Series

STV ASGARD ll passing Roche's Point.  Est. 1817, sited at the entrance to Cork Harbour, the present 15m high tower was built 1835.    A familiar sight to Swansea-Cork ferry passengers, Cobh and Crosshaven yachtsmen, it stands 30m above sea level and has a diaphone fog signal.

 

By kind permission of John Eagle Photography

 

With the assistance of Commissioners of Irish Lights

Oil on board - 14 ins x 11 ins

 

http://www.johneaglephotography.com

 

eaglejr@indigo.ie

 

 

 

No.18 OYSTER ISLAND - 2003

 

Rosses Point, Co. Sligo

No. 37 in the Irish Lighthouse Series

Oil on canvas board

12ins x 10ins

 

 

 

No.19 INISHGORT LIGHTHOUSE - 2003

 

Clew Bay

Co. Mayo

Oil on canvas board

12 ins x 10 ins

 

 

 

No. 20 JESSO AND DIANNE - 2003

Commission

 

Private Joker also known as 'Jesso'

Pedigree of Private Joker:

Sex:         Gelding

D.O.B.      13.0.93

Markings:  White star at eye level.  O.H. White to above fetlock

Colour:     Chestnut

Owner:    Dianne Amiri

Oil on canvas

26 ins x 18 ins

 

No. 21 THE 17TH HOLE, PORTUMNA GOLF CLUB

COUNTY GALWAY - 2004

Commission

Oil on canvas 36ins x 24 ins

This painting was commissioned by

Ray & Mary Lynch

for

Claire and John Callanan

 

 

No. 22  INDAH - MALE SUMATRAN TIGER

One of the most endangered species

 

With kind permission of 

Dublin Zoo

Phoenix Park

Dublin, Ireland

 

 

No. 23  THE FASTNET 100

The Fastnet Lighthouse is sited on a rock 4 miles off Cape Clear, Co. Cork.

The lighthouse was built 1900 - 1903.

Made of Cornish stone, it replaces the original of 1854, the black stump of which can be seen in the painting.

 

With kind permission of

John Eagle Photography

Fastnet Centenary

eaglejr2003@yahoo.com

www.johneaglephotography.com

 

No. 24 THE SKELLIG ISLANDS

With the Kerry coast in the distance

10 x 14 inches

Use of Image

Courtesy of Des Lavelle,

      Valentia, Co. Kerry. 

 

 

 

No. 25 THE GAP OF DUNLOE

CO. KERRY

Oil on canvas

10ins x 14ins

Courtesy of

www.johneaglephotography.com

eaglejr2003@yahoo.com

 

 

No. 26 BEN BULBEN

Sligo

Ireland

Oil on canvas  

12ins x 16ins  

Under bare Ben Bulben's head

In Drumcliff churchyard Yeats is laid.

An ancestor was rector there

Long years ago, a church stands near,

By the road an ancient cross.

No marble, no conventional phrase;

On limestone quarried near the spot

By his command these words are cut:

Cast a cold eye

On life, on death.

Horseman, pass by!

 

WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS 

Taken from his poem "Under Ben Bulben"

 

To see the whole poem by Yeats click here

 

No.27 YELLOW LILY IN A FRENCH GARDEN

Oil on canvas

10ins x 7ins

From an original photograph by

Vincent Haslam

 

 

No. 28 GALWAY HOOKERS

Oil on canvas

12ins x 10ins

Courtesy of Liam McVeigh

Portaferry Galway Hookers Festival

Galway Hookers - History Afloat

By Eleanor M. Hough

The Galway or Connemara hooker, with its distinctive curved lines, supported a significant fishing industry in Galway Bay and around the Connemara coast in the 19th century and carried goods, livestock and fuel at a time when the sea was the main means of transport and communication for the coastal communities. Since the mid seventies, many of the old sailing craft which were on the verge of extinction have been lovingly restored and new ones have been built. During the summer months they can be seen at a series of regattas held around the coast but particularly in the west of Ireland where they originated.

 

 

 

No. 29 GLENMALURE

Co. Wicklow

Oil on canvas  

10ins x 14ins

From an original photograph

by Tom Brown

Aspect Ireland

 

No. 30 A FOLLY IN THE GARDENS OF VERSAILLES

Miniature

Painted on a weekend in France

 

 

No. 31 CARLINGFORD LANDSCAPE

County Louth

Ireland

Oil on canvas

16ins x 12ins

From an original photograph

by

Tom Duffy

Honorary Secretary

Drogheda Photographic Society

 

 

No. 32 Sunset on the Maidens
    Old Maidens with New Maidens
 in the distance.
Oil on Canvas

29ins x 29ins


Courtesy of

John Eagle Photography
   www.johneaglephotography.com

and
     Commissioners of Irish Lights

Information:
Maidens Lighthouse
54°55.7' North
5°43.6' West

History:
East and West Lighthouses were established at Maidens Rock in 1828 or 1829.
The west lighthouse was discontinued in 1903. The current tower is white
with a black band and its light is a Biform 920mm annular lens (main lamp in
upper tier) with PRB22 gearless drive and electric 1kW lamps. The station
was automated on the 31st October 1977.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Aids to Navigation

Light:
Fl (3) W 20s. Shown throughout 24 hours. Nominal Range: 24 nautical miles.

Auxiliary Light:
Fl R 5s over Russel and Highland Rocks

Radar Beacon:
Morse 'M' on vessel's radar display.

Height of Tower:
23 metres.

Height of light above mean high water springs:

29 metres.
 


 

Photographs by Vincent Haslam, Donal O'Gara

and Dowdall Photography, Drogheda.

 

 

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