The Children of Achill and Robert Henri

The Children of Achill and Robert Henri. 

American artist Robert Henri painted several child portraits on Achill Island from 1913 to 1929, but none of these beautiful paintings remain in Ireland. They sold to the great and the good of Irish America and some grace the walls of America's finest museums and galleries. He gave a print of his highly prized artworks to each of his child sitters, which occupied prided place in every home. Spearheaded primarily by Sarah Lavelle, a descendant of one of the children, the community wishes to capture and celebrate this unique element of Irish social history. Over the past year Dr Ciara Breathnach and Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley, University of Galway, have been working with the Museum of Childhood in Ireland to support Achill Tourism and Achill residents in building this exciting community-driven history project. A symposium generously funded by Mayo County Council will be held at Keel Community Hall on 25 March, it will form the first phase in a series of planned work. Comprising history and art history panels, Dr Sorcha de Brún, School Of English. Irish & Communication, is also among the speakers.  

See here for festival programme