Search goes on to find Keating’s famous painting ‘The Fenian’
SEAN KEATING’S WORKS WERE THE SUBJECT OF A FASCINATING PRESENTATION HELD AT COLLINS BARRACKS IN CORK
LAST October, Newmarket historian Sheila O’ Sullivan was delighted to be invited to Collins Barracks, Cork to attend a presentation by Dr Éimear O’ Connor, HRHA, on Artist Seán Keating’s ‘Republican Court’ painting. The event was hosted by retired Colonel Jim Long and was attended by a diverse guest list including art historians and collectors.
Dr O’ Connor is a noted authority on Keating’s work and has curated many exhibitions and published many books on the subject.
Renowned Irish artist Sean Keating’s work is gaining a new popularity and interest following the use of one of his paintings for the cover of the very successful ‘Atlas of the Irish Revolution’.
This image is, of course ‘ Men of the South’, the original of which is on permanent display at the Crawford Gallery in Cork City.
This work was begun by Keating during the truce of 1922.
During the Presentation Dr Éimear was asked about the possible location of another of his works called ‘ The Fenian’.
It is the location of this painting, believed to be in some private collection, that is the subject of a search by Keating enthusiasts for an art exhibition in 2022.
The search has so far proved fruitless, but it is hoped that word will spread around the art world and that the painting may yet be located.
A mutual respect and friendship endured over the years, between Sean Keating and Sean Moylan, which included visits to Newmarket and Kiskeam.
It was at the suggestion of Moylan that Keating should record in paint a representation of a Republican Court which in Moylan’s mind were pivotal to breaking the stranglehold of the British Empire over the population.
Seán Keating arrived in Kiskeam in the summer of 1946 to source a suitable location and subjects for his proposed endeavour.
The location was Jack Culloty’s kitchen in Knockavorheen and the subjects were Timothy Moynihan, Meens; Michael T Cronin, Dromscarra; Michael Cronin, Knockeenacurrig; Jim Riordan, Knockavorheen and Timothy J. Cronin of West End, Kiskeam.
Two sentries of the court are Paddy and Sean Culloty.
This wonderful painting is displayed in the Officer’s Mess at Collins’ Barracks, Cork .
While painting the Republican Court in Knockavorheen, Keating did not confine himself to that alone.
Among his other works was a portrait of Denis-Daniel Guiney of Knocknenaugh, Kiskeam, locally known as ‘ The Old Fenian’. Denis Daniel’s strong face and flowing beard made him a fine model for the artist.
While descendants of the leaders of the 1916 Rebellion are justifiably proud of their ancestors, equal pride is held by those who can trace their lineage to a Fenian.
The Fenian movement was founded on March 17, 1858 by James Stephens and John O’ Mahony, veterans of the 1848 rising.
It was an oath- bound secret society whose aim was the freedom and independence of Ireland from British rule by force of arms.
“Given that every town and village in North Cork has its own Fenian Roll of Honour, one can conclude that there was considerable sympathy for the movement throughout the region. This in itself is extraordinary given the political and social climate of the time - a mere decade after the famine,” Sheila O’ Sullivan said.
The secret oath of the association put it in immediate conflict with the Catholic Church, and particularly with its leader Cardinal Paul Cullen.
“The Church took every opportunity to condemn the movement even to the extent of excommunication. The penalties for membership carried serious consequences as attested by the arrest of John Kenneally of Glenlara in 1866 who was sentenced to transportation to Van Diemen’s Land for 10-years” Sheila noted.
“In more modern times we have all seen film footage of the enormous crowds, estimated at 20,000 people, marching through Dublin following the funeral cortege of the Fenian, Jeremiah O’ Donovan Rossa to Glasnevin in August 1915” Sheila added.
The physical appearance of a Fenian, in most people’s imagination, is informed by the image of O’ Donovan Rossa and James Stephens, male, bearded, with a countenance honed by a harsh and difficult life.
And so the search for ‘ The Fenian’ continues, because this painting is of great artistic, historic and sentimental value to the people of Duhallow, and to Denis Daniel’s descendants around the Kiskeam and Ballydesmond area.