Jay’s paintings finally get an airing at Díseart open day

THE entire community is invited to attend an open day at An Diseart, which will include an exhibition of paintings by the late Jay Killian. The American-born artist who lived in Dingle from 1978 until his death in 1995 was greatly admired for the quality of his work – and his personality – but he never held an exhibition of his paintings.

Jay’s good friend Gene Courtney wanted to put this to right and contacted owners of Jay’s paintings for the exhibition.

Jay was one of the first recognised artists to live and work in Dingle. His work includes commissioned portraits of Eamon de Valera and Charles J Haughey but his preferred subjects were the people of West Kerry. In an interview with The Kerryman shortly before his death he said: “I like painting people. The scenery will be there for thousands of years but the people they only live a lifetime, they are the ones worth painting.”

As well as the art exhibition, musicans Eoin Duignan, Eilís Ní Chinnéide and Gerry O’Beirne are among the local artists to lend their support on the open day at An Díseart. Other activities include a puppet show, a massive cake sale and tours of the building and the gardens.

The open day is the first event organised by Cairde an Disirt, a group established in 2017. to extend the facilities of An Diseart to community groups and individuals working in the areas of community development, spirituality, the Arts, heritage and sustainability.

Mary Ruddy of Cairde an Dísirt said: “The day is about social inclusion. We hope to bring people from around the peninsula for a day of comhrá craic , relaxation, music and refreshments in the surrounds of the Díseart building and gardens, we are providing a little bit of something for everyone. Our aim is to help break social isolation”.

The open day will start at 11am on Friday, July 6, and continue until 4pm. For further information contact the Díseart at 066-9152476 or info@diseart.ie.