American artist Robert Henri (1865–1929) has an important place in Achill’s artistic history. Henri first arrived in Ireland in 1913 with the intention of painting the people of the west coast. From his home at Corrymore on Achill Island, Henri painted hundreds of portraits and landscapes, creating a remarkable visual record of the island, its people and its culture in the early decades of the 20th century. His influential book The Art Spirit (1923) went on to inspire generations of artists and creatives, including Walt Disney and David Lynch.

On Thursday, 8 October, Mulranny Arts Centre will welcome artist and art historian Jessica Sharkey, who will be joining Mulranny Arts as an Artist in Residence this autumn, for an evening lecture exploring Henri’s connection with Achill and the West of Ireland. Through his paintings and Jessica’s ongoing research, the evening will also offer a fascinating glimpse into Achill during this period, as seen through the work of an artist who returned to the island again and again.

Drawing on her current PhD research at Trinity College Dublin, the lecture will share insights from paintings and primary sources from major collections including the National Gallery of Ireland, the Ulster Museums, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is further enriched by research undertaken during a 2023 curatorial internship at the Robert Henri Museum and Art Gallery in Cozad, Nebraska.

For those inspired to explore Robert Henri’s ideas through their own creativity, Jessica will also lead a one-day workshop at Mulranny Arts Centre on Friday, 9 October.

Click Here for more information on this workshop