The Many Faces of Killarney

Michael McCarthy revels in the many faces of the classical Killarney landscape‚ very often scenes of a split second that he has to trap in his mind and then paint like hell.

In ‘Sunlight on Lough Leane’ (no. 1) the silver sheen and shadow on the water‚ the light on the group of horses and the mountain will change instantly as the clouds move across the sun.

There is no doubt but that ‘Cattle Drinking‚ River Laune’ (no. 5) is a scene from the height of Summer. Everything in the speaks of heat. The drinking cattle. The almost hypnotic effect created by of the still river water. The lust fullness of growth. The powder–blue colour of the mountains.

The boat and it’s two occupants seem dwarfed by the huge body of Upper Lake water and mountain backdrop viewed through tall trees. But the title of the painting‚ ‘In Evening Stillness’ (no. 3) suggests an energy not readily apparent. One fisherman is standing up in anticipation of the dusk fish–rise.

The picture postcard beauty of ‘Evening Light on the Blaskets’ (no. 6) blurs the harshness of life for the island people. Even on beautiful summer days fare was frugal. In storm the fear that fishermen might not survives the ravages of the sea – too often a fear that was realised.

‘In the Evening Mist‚ Valentia’ (no. 9) looks as if the boats are returning from another world. And in very many senses they are. Life on the wide ocean is so different to the calm and quiet chugging up the harbour in the evening trailed by gulls hoping for an easy meal.

‘Autumn Riders‚ Ross Island’ (no. 14)‚ like every one of Michael McCarthy’s paintings‚ are showing scenes largely unchanged over the centuries. Here shafts of sun light focus on riders making their way over a carpet of golden leaves anytime between the end of September and early December.

In the second most magical hour of the day ‘In the Gold of the Evening‚ Ross Castle’ (no. 22) has everything. Ageless lake and mountain. A rich covering of trees. The history of conquest represented by Ross Castle.

Over more than a thousand years ‘The Waiting Boat on Innisfallen Island’ (no. 30) witnessed legend and history. Mochuda and his long slumber. A leper hospital. A place where history was recorded. A famous university. A banqueting hall.

The hunting‚ shooting‚ fishing brigade were a significant part of the first large scale numbers of visitors to come to Killarney. ‘The Boys on Blackstones Bridge’ (no. 31) could have been used as a visual to attract them.

- Frank Lewis