ST OLIVER’S SEASONS AND SCENE EXHIBITION
On Friday night I headed for the rear of the Louth County Hospital where the St. Olivers Plunketts Nursing Home’s ‘Seasons and Scenes’ Art Exhibition was being launched and with over 85 pieces on show the place was packed with artists, their families and well-wishers.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with clinical nurse manager Joan McCourt form St. Alphonsus Road who said the exhibition was always an excellent night, the residents just love art teacher Carol Wallace and yet again she did a brilliant job to make the night such a success.
Next I got a word with two extremely busy ladies in Regina Dunne from the Loakers and Mary Matthews from Castlebellingham who were looking after the food on the night and put out an excellent spread.
Just arrived in the door I met up with Caroline, Donal and Kayleigh Dullaghan from Muirhevnamor who were with Conor and Ann McEvoy from Dublin, Vincent and Majella McCourt from St. Malachys Villas who were there to see the work of Vincent and the late Tom McEvoy.
I then headed over for a chat with Laurena Callaghan from Ardee who told me she was showing some of her work on the night, as was Brigid Kane from McSwiney Street who had two on the walls and they were being supported on the night by Eileen McGee from Kilkerley, Bridie Connolly from Barrack Street and Margaret Cassidy from Dunleer who were very impressed with the work on show.
Making my way to another table I then got talking to Philomena Fagan from Bay Estate who also had a brace on show and she was having a laugh with daughter Philomena Martin from Medebawn along with nurse Margaret O’Callaghan from Carlingford and daughter Louise Colgan from Blackrock who were helping out and both agreed that Carol is doing a fabulous job.
After this I met up with Eileen Culleton from Cooley Park who was there to support the night and mentioned that Pearse O’Hanrahan from St. Alphonsus Road was one of the main driving forces for getting funding for the classes, now in their 16th year. Pearse was also there with his brother Harry O’Hanrahan from Dublin Road too.
Next I caught up with mad Dundalk FC fan Claire Ward from Ard Easmuinn who was there on the night with her mum Vera and Emer Rogers from Carrick Road who told me that this exhibition just gets better and better every year it is on.
Just arrived in the door were Cllr. Ruairi O’Murchu from Bay Estate and my old colleague Cllr. Anne Campbell from Dublin Road who told me they were there to support the night and were particularly impressed with the pieces on the walls.
I then caught up with Frances O’Dowda from Ravensdale who said that Carol is a fabulous teacher and she had a few on the walls. She was there with helper Elsie from Ravensdale and daughter Maeve Donald from Ravensdale who said the exhibition was excellent.
After this I got talking to well known photographer Colm Kane from Louth Village who was with wife Anne and was there to support his mum Brigid whom I’d met earlier and he too was hugely impressed with the exhibition.
Not too long later I got taking to Eithne Lambe from Fr. Murray Park who was there to honour her late father John Lambe who had a couple of his canvases on show.
I then headed over for a quick word with Noel and Geraldine Minto from Bay Estate. Noel is part of a forum for the residents and he too said the night was excellent and all credit must go to Carol and all the artists for an exceptional event.
After this a I headed over for a chat with Mark Callaghan from Ardee who was there with his dad Peter to support Laurena. Mark said that his mum used to paint, but since she joined the class her work had come on in leaps and bounds.
As I made my way round, I then got talking to mother and daughter Mary Brennan from McSwiney Street and Clare Brennan and partner Cathal O’Hanlon Park from Cloonevan who there to honour the late Rosaleen Brennan’s work.
Next I got a word with Rebec- ca McDonald and Paul McGovern both from Blackrock who said they were there to support Paddy McCourt’s work and said the exhibition just gets better and better every year.
After this I got talking to John Connolly from Redbarns Road who was with his daughter Ruth who ha come down from Dublin specially for the exhibition and they were there for her mum Bridie and said the word was just fabulous.
I then caught up with sisters Olivia Neacy from Culhane Street, Briege O’Connor from Fr. Murray Park, Michelle McArdle from Greenacres and Patricia Mullen from Cooley Park who were there to support sister Marie Larkin but were more interested with the lovely spread for the occasion.
Just arrived in the door was Mary Moran from Ardee Road who was accompanied by her daughters Yvonne and Susan who told me they were there to support Fiona Fagan on the night and were really looking forward to seeing the lovely painting on show.
After this I got taking to Gerry Maguire from Ard Easmuinn who was there for his Kathleen Maguire from O’Hanlon Park who had no less than four on show on the night.
Finally, before I departed, I got talking to Sharon Black from Woodbury Gardens who was there to support her mum Sheila Black from Blackrock and said she was with dad Paul, Grainne and Lauryn McCreesh and Jason Thompson, and Aimee Matthews who were hugely impressed with Sheila’s and all the painters work.