Crusheen-based artist Patrick Kenneally will unveil a new collection of work in Kinvara this month, exploring Ireland’s deep relationship with the ocean and the coast. His exhibition, Connection, opens at KAVA on Tuesday, August 12, with the gallery open daily from August 13–19.
As an oil painter with a love of colour and coastal landscapes, Kenneally has spent much of his life inspired by Ireland’s shoreline. Growing up in Crusheen after an early childhood in Ennis, he was encouraged by his mother, “a talented artist in her own right” to pursue his artistic interests. Many of his earliest memories involve sketching scenes of the Clare countryside or painting small cottages on beach stones to sell to tourists.
Another formative influence was his art teacher at St Flannan’s College, Jim Hennessy. Hennessy, who has since passed away, often painted in class and offered constant encouragement. Kenneally credits him as a major reason he went on to become an art teacher himself.
The show explores Ireland’s enduring bond with the sea through a journey from the Skellig Islands in Kerry up along the west coast. reflecting on the solace, peace and cultural heritage found in Ireland’s maritime landscapes. The work seeks to capture not just Kenneally’s personal connection to the coast, but a shared national bond rooted in memory and nostalgia.
“It explores that connection that people have, us being an island nation, with the sea and it looks at those places that we go to for solace and peace,” Patrick says. “Not just the connection that I have but the connection that everyone has through things like nostalgia, memory. And hopefully people will form connections with my work as well.”
Known for working predominantly in oils, he resists the perception of the medium as dark or muted, instead choosing to focus on light and vibrant tones. The blues and greens of the sea are a constant feature in his work, often shaped more by emotion and perception than by direct representation.
“The perception of oil painting is dark murky colours but I always try to find the light, bright colours… You don’t always paint exactly what you see but what you perceive or what you feel,” he explained to the Clare Echo.
For the past 25 years, Kenneally has taught art at Seamount College in Kinvara, finding in the classroom both inspiration and community. “As a teacher you inspire but you also get to be inspired by your students as well,” he says. “When you are an artist you aren’t always in a community of artists, but when you are a teacher and you have young artists around you, it’s actually really encouraging.” Surrounded by young artists, he continues to paint alongside his teaching, keeping creativity central to his daily life.
His connection to Kinvara’s artistic life extends beyond the classroom. He designed this year’s Crinniú na mBád poster, celebrating the movement and heritage of the Galway hooker. “I love the contrast between the red sails and the sea… They really make such an impact and they are so important to our heritage and culture.” The artwork, featuring the distinctive red sails of a Galway hooker against the sea, is currently on display at the Pier Head and will move to KAVA as part of Connection.
Kenneally values the role of KAVA as a not-for-profit, community-run gallery, offering artists a platform outside the commercial gallery circuit. Patrick has shown work at KAVA before, including his 2023 exhibition Coastline. He values the gallery’s role in supporting artists. “A place like KAVA gives such opportunity for you to be able to show your work. It’s community-owned, it’s not-for-profit… it really gives members the opportunity to get their work out there.”
