Welcome to the Artist’s studio on Achill. From his workshop, overlooking the wild Atlantic Ocean on the island of Achill – Ronan Halpin designs and fabricates works of modern sculpture that connect you to nature and more especially to the west coast of Ireland.
Since moving to west in 1998 with his wife and family, Ronan has produced sculpture that reflects the West Mayo landscape – and in particular the rugged mountainscape of the island. From the surf flagged shoreline and the quartzite cliff formations of Craughán mountain to the 5000 year old megalithic remains of the early island dwellers, this is where Ronan finds his inspiration.
‘Although the images come from me they are informed by the landscape which surrounds me. They are not depictions of the landscape but rather evocations of a life among the rocks and hills and seas of the west coast.’
‘While Ronan’s work rarely seeks to directly represent the unique landscape around him, the view from the studio is not one that can ever be ignored. The ocean is an ever-present force, affecting the outlook and informing the mood and so it seems to make itself present in the work in subtle if not overt ways. Ronan Halpin’s sculpture chimes with its dramatic surroundings.’ (Eoghan Nolan Irish Arts Review 2017)
The Gallery on Achill shows the sculptural work of Ronan Halpin and the landscape paintings of Amanda Mac Mahon.
Ronan’s work in the gallery includes items of furniture and lighting as well as his works in sculpture. Amanda shows her paintings which are mainly oil on paper or oil on canvas. All the work shown here is available for sale or for commission. Shipping arrangements can be made worldwide. We can accept all major Credit Cards and payments made through Paypal. Opening times: June to September 11.00am ~ 5.00pm daily, or by appointment off season.
Ronan Halpin Curriculum Vitae
From 1978 – 1982 Ronan attended the National College of Art & Design in Dublin where he received an Honours Diploma in Sculpture 1981 and the following year an Honours Degree Sculpture B.A.
From 1982 – 1984 Ronan attended Yale School of Art, New Haven, Connecticut. USA. and received an Honours Degree Sculpture M.F.A.
In 1985 he returned to Dublin where he worked for a number of years before moving his studio to Drogheda, Co Louth.
In 1998 he moved to Achill Island where he now lives and works.
A selection of exhibitions
1989. Two Person Show with Paki Smith. Guinness Hops Store, Dublin. Travelling to Limerick City Art Gallery, Octagon Gallery, Belfast, Wexford Arts Centre.
1990. Budapest Triennial of Small Sculpture. Selected one of three to represent Ireland.
1991. First Solo Exhibition, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin.
1992. Solo Exhibition of Sculpture and Drawings. Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Travelling to Limerick City Gallery, Market Gallery Athy, Dundalk Town Hall, Droichead Arts Centre Drogheda.
1994. Solo Exhibition. Sculpture and Drawings. Rubicon Gallery, Dublin. Travelling: Limerick City Gallery & Droichead Arts Centre Drogheda.
1999. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island.
2004. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ’Cethorinus Maximus’
2007. ‘Interchange’. An exhibition of Fullbright Scholars. Farmleigh House Dublin. Show travels to High Lanes Gallery Drogheda Co Louth.
2007. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Aquilla’
2009. Group Exhibition. Solomon Art. Outdoor Exhibition. Co Kildare.
2009. Achill Artists Group Exhibition. Kunsthaus Rhenenia. Cologne, Germany.
2011. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Aurelia’
2012. Group Exhibition Solomon Gallery Dublin.
2012. Solo Outdoor exhibition of sculpture. Carraholly, Westport. Co Mayo. Exhibition travels to Solomon Fine Art. Dublin.
2014. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Gravity’
2017. Solo Exhibition. Custom House Gallery. Westport. Co Mayo (April)
Solomon Gallery Dublin. (May)
Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Ceann Bhán’
Selection of commissioned sculptures
1983 | Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Grant to USA. |
1984 | Awarded the Fanee B. Pardee Prize for Achievement in Sculpture at Yale School of Art, USA. |
1986 | Commissioned to design and complete major outdoor sculpture for the Ardhowen Arts centre, Co. Fermannagh. NI. |
1989 | Commissioned by St Olivers’ Community College/ Arts Council for large outdoor sculpture in the school grounds. |
1992 | Commissioned by Meath Co. Council ‘The King and Queen’ at Trim, Co. Meath. |
1996 | Commissioned by Jan Van Dijk, Architects to design and complete |
1997 | Commissioned by Brian O Halloran Architects |
1998 | Commissioned by Jan Van Dijk, Architects to design and complete internal balustrade at Ardee Castle, Co. Louth. |
1998 | Commissioned by Turlough McKevitt, Architects to design and complete a lantern sculpture at Millmount, Drogheda Co. Louth. |
2001 | Commissioned by Louth County Council to design and complete an outdoor sculpture ‘A Shaft of Light’, Drogheda, Co. Louth. |
2004 | Commissioned by Jan Van Dijk, Architects to design and complete gates for the refurbished Town Hall, Dundalk, Co Louth |
2008 | Commissioned by Westport Town Council to design and complete a stainless steel cross to commemorate the Sisters of Mercy. |
2008 | Commissioned by Kerry Co. Council to design and complete an outdoor sculpture ‘Amergin’ in Corten Steel. 6metres in height. |
2013 | Commissioned by Westport Town Council to design and complete ‘Sentinel’ a bronze sculpture 6metres in height. To celebrate Westport being awarded the Irish Times ‘Best place to live in Ireland’ |
2019 | Commissioned by Billingsly Corporation Dallas, Texas to design and complete Icarus. Sculpture in Corten and Bronze. 10metres high. Sculpture installed November 2019 |
2022
Commissioned by Billingsly Corporation Dallas, Texas to design and complete ‘Tree Boat’. Sculpture in Bronze. 3.5m high.