The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark engaged seven local artists to visit popular tourism centres across the Burren as ‘Artists in Residence’.
Doreen Drennan, Éanna Byrt, Kaye Maahs, Mary Fahy, Patsy Ricks, Philip Morrison, and Sara Foust visited Aillwee Cave, The Burren Nature Sanctuary, Caherconnell Fort, the Burren Centre, Doolin Cave and Moher Cottage over the summer to promote the concept of geotourism and forge links between artists and tourism businesses.
‘It was great to be part of this initiative that has bought new links between the artist community and businesses in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark’ said gallery owner and artist Sara Foust
Burren based artist Kaye Maahs who visited Aillwee Cave Birds of Prey Centre was very taken with her experience there and the conservation work they do. Kaye has donated a painting in support of their raptor and vulture conservation efforts.
The painting titled ‘Night watcher (Jon Snow)’ is inspired by a snowy owl, one of the performing owl artists at the Aillwee caves Burren Birds of prey centre and will go under the hammer in a fundraising auction on 17th October at 7.30pm at the Foust gallery, Ennistymon. The winning bid will also receive a voucher for a hawk walk at Aillwee Cave to the value of €190.
The auction will be performed by Hotelier, businessman and Elevate Foundation founder John Burke.
‘It was a great experience having an artist onsite at Aillwee Cave, to witness how they work and see the value that local bespoke art can bring to tourism businesses.’ said Nuala Mulqueeny, Director Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre. ‘Kaye donating a painting to our conservation efforts has been an unexpected bonus to participating in this programme and we are very thankful to her’ she continued.
An exhibition of all the works including Night Watcher (Jon Snow) will be held at the Foust gallery, Ennistymon 16th-27th October.
The event is one outcome of an EU-funded project titled ‘Atlantic Geoparks’ that is promoting geotourism by linking local artists and tourism businesses in the Burren.
‘By highlighting their work as artists and building new relationships with the tourism industry a more intimate and sustainable connection with the landscape can be forged’, commented Dr. Eamon Doyle, Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark Geologist.
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, managed by Clare County Council, supported by Geological survey Ireland are partners in an EU-funded Interreg Atlantic Geoparks project that promotes economic, cultural and sustainable geotourism in 12 destinations along Europe’s Atlantic frontier. The project is developing new initiatives including the creation of a transnational European Atlantic Geotourism Route along with products and experiences to support it in each destination.
For auction enquiries contact the Foust gallery at sarafoust@yahoo.com