The credibility of Youghal’s main street as a commercial centre has been further reinforced with the opening of new photography and art gallery in a prime location. Consumers and fellow retailers alike on the beleaguered thoroughfare will welcome the advent of McGoldrick’s Art & Photography at 89 North Main Street. The site, adjacent to the Clock Gate, had been idle for mere weeks following the closure of the previous fashion accessories outlet.

Proprietor Eileen McGoldrick and her husband Will Nick have lived in Youghal for about eight years and reside in Strand Street. The Belfast-born couple have previously lived in Oxford and over past decades have developed an impressive reputation in the arts world, hosting acclaimed exhibitions in Oxford and London as well as Cork and Dungarvan on this side of the pond.

With a target market of locals and tourists, the location obviously is of prime relevance. However the “quality of natural light”, that flows through the front and side windows was a major factor in choosing location. Alongside selected manufactured illumination, the combination brings a focus of perfection to the works on display.

Variety

The inaugural exhibition stretches across photography, oils and acrylic, though the display will alternate monthly. Within the compact space, the visitor can browse, for example, on the astounding depictions of Helvic Head cliff faces and beach rocks, their shapes and pastel hues rendered unique and enchanting through the magic of Will’s photography. “One visitor said she admired ‘the aerial view of the Caribbean island,” smiles Will. “In fact it was a view of a rock from Ballycotton!”

Eileen’s inventive cross-media pieces offer the colourful surrealism begat from subjecting acrylic, cloth netting and scanning technology to an unfettered imagination. The results reflect ‘dream sequences’ but are subject to individual interpretation.

Elsewhere a photo of derelict fishing boat’s revealed layers of colours bear witness to its lives, competing for attention with the acrylic depiction of a woman in a black dress hanging white washing against a background of industrial rust. A rainbow finds the Ferry Point, Muckross Abbey stands sultry, Moby Dick’s pink perkiness is viewed from the Pier Head past the blue hue of a boat.

Other creativities are manifested book form, themed to unravel by the enamoured page. From envelope-sized originals of €8 cost to 30 inch square masterpieces of seventy times that value, the walls and shelves do their new home proud.

If the works are beautiful, they are complimented by their creators’ belief. “I have great confidence in selling art, if art can be sold, on Youghal’s main street,” says Eileen. Yet she equally yearns to create an oasis perhaps “where visitors can browse, with no pressure to buy” and where they can view art for art’s sake –evocatively reminding them of what derives from their own lives.

Classes

McGoldrick Art & Photography will also host art lessons weekly, on Mondays. Two sessions, managed by Eileen, will cater separately for children and adults. Classes are open to all levels from total novices to budding Van Gogh’s! “It will be tailored totally towards the nurturing and developing the abilities of each individual,” says Eileen.

Details:  (024) 90494; 087-22865921; 087-4116483. Web: www.mcgoldrickart.com;  email: mcgoldrickart@gmail.com

A big thank you to all those that came along to the opening of the McGoldrick Art & Photography Gallery on Friday (11th March), and showed their support. With a good steady stream of people throughout the day, it was good to take bookings for portraits, Art Classes (Adults & Children), and commissions; just the sort of opening day I had hoped for. I would also like to thank all those that sent cards wishing me every success, and especially to Susan & Barry at “Absolute Flowers” for their kindness and generosity. Also to the good people at ‘www.Youghalonline’, ‘Youghal News’, CRY, Mick Hussey, Christy Parker, and Ger Flanagan.

If you haven’t yet visited the gallery, please come along and see what we have. Maybe you need a portrait, or a piece of Fine Art, or a simple, but quality image of Youghal. Come and see our inaugural exhibition. A display of images by Eileen & Will McGoldrick entitled “Between a Rock and a good place”, a mixed media Dream Sequence display, and a unique & vibrant view of rock formations in the East Cork / West Waterford area.

Eileen & Will McGoldrick

Click on image to enlarge