Award-winning Galway sculptor to exhibit in Athenry after Chelsea Flower Show success
Internationally recognised sculptor Donnacha Cahill will return to his home town of Athenry this June with a limited exhibition, offering local audiences a rare opportunity to experience his award-winning work.
The exhibition comes to West of the River Gallery, Athenry directly after Cahill’s appearance at this years’ Chelsea Flower Show and before it continues to France where he will be representing Ireland at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient.
The exhibition marks a meaningful collaboration between Cahill and the West of the River Gallery, a new contemporary art space in the heart of Athenry.
Both the artist and the gallery owners grew up locally and share an ambition to ensure that work shown on international stages is also accessible to the communities that nurtured and inspired it.
Drawing inspiration from nature and his experiences growing up in rural Galway, Cahill has built a global reputation. His work is exhibited internationally and held in private collections worldwide.
He has completed commissions for Electric Picnic, Dublin Airport, Department of Education and RTE and has exhibited at major events including the Galway Arts Festival and leading UK festivals.
Built on the belief that world-class contemporary art can be a part of everyday life in rural Ireland, the exhibition is an important early moment in establishing West of the River Gallery as an accessible cultural hub for the region.
West of the River Gallery is a new contemporary art space in Athenry, founded by husband-and-wife Kelly and Liam Carroll, focused on building a cultural destination rooted in accessibility, collaboration and contemporary practice.
This exhibition will feature a curated selection of sculpture, including works shown at the Chelsea Flower Show, and will run from June 4 to July 19.
“We opened West of the River Gallery to create a space where high-quality art and design could thrive in a rural town,” said Gallery owner, Kelly Carroll.
“There’s something really special about welcoming Donnacha back to Athenry after Chelsea - it reflects everything we believe in. Exceptional art isn’t just for international stages; it belongs here too, at home.”