Future is mapped out for design duo
A Drogheda born artist has joined forces with her Skerries partner in an artistic match made in heaven!
Heather Gilroy and Peter O’Neill have launched a range of original prints depicting some of the wonderful heritage unique to both their hometowns, and which are now available to buy off their website www. printsofireland.ie.
“We both had a bit of extra time during lockdown, and it’s something we’ve been thinking of doing for a while, so it seemed the ideal opportunity,” says Heather, whose mum Miriam Kirwan was from Drogheda, and whose grandad Brian still lives in Bryanstown. “We started doing some of the sights most popular to the locals in Skerries where we now live, and when it was my grandad’s birthday, we did one up for him and then we thought others might like to buy them, so we set up the website.”
And how right she was, as since the launch last week, they have been flying out the door. The map of Drogheda’s heritage sites has been particularly popular, and they are already designing ones for Malahide, Balbriggan, Rush and Lusk.
“If they go well, the plan would be to create illustrated maps for all parts of Ireland – the cities and counties – and we really have enough beautiful landmarks to keep going,” adds Peter, who works in digital marketing, while Heather normally works in the fashion industry.
The couple, who are only in their early 20s, have already traveled the world extensively, and realised that Ireland is short of unique souvenirs.
“So much of what is available for visitors is very cliched – lots of leprechauns, pints and sheep – so we’ve picked things the locals like, like the ice cream shop or life guard hut in Skerries,” he adds.
Whilst Peter takes care of the marketing side of the business, Heather has the artistic background.
“I studied fashion design in NCAD, and picked up the skills I need to do the illustrations,” she explains. “I take a photo of the landmark, and then load it onto the computer, where I use Adobe Illustrated to do a unique interpretation of the it – and they are a contemporary take on our heritage, which would suit a modern home.”
The prints are only available online at the moment but they hope to stock some local shops soon.
“It’s a bit early to give up the day jobs just yet, but things are going well so far,” says Peter with a laugh. “As well as the maps, we can do personalised designs, and it’s free delivery in Ireland at the moment, or we can ship worldwide, so if someone has missed getting home, we can send a little bit of home to them.”
www.printsofireland.ie or Instagram Prints of Ireland.