Agnes Irwin SSP 2012

This year we welcomed back a group from The Agnes Irwin School for a second session of their SSP program focusing on drawing, photography, and the history and culture of Ireland.

Their time was jam packed and fun filled. Some of our activities included a three day trip to Dublin where we visited Kilmainham Gaol, Fire Station Artist Studios and the Royal Hibernian Academy. A day trip in Wexford was highlighted by a visit to Hook Head to see the oldest continuously operational lighthouse in the world, a ramble through the picturesque Tintern Abbey and a tour of the Dunbrody famine ship. Back at the Cow House the girls were treated to an evening of traditional Irish stories by story teller Jack Lynch, an artist talk by local artist Kate Murphy, and an exchange with students from Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School.

In the studio everyone worked diligently through drawing, photography and bookmaking workshops, culminating in some wonderful handmade books. The nighttime photograph above by Margee Howell was taken during our night photo workshop. Amidst all the hard work lots of time was still found to play with the dogs, cycle and jog around the block, and to celebrate two birthdays!

This was our first group with our new baby boy Michael, and we couldn’t have asked for a more kind, thoughtful and warm hearted group of girls to share it with. The two weeks seemed to just fly by, and we really look forward to catching up with everyone this winter. We would like to especially thank Keri Farrow for all her hard work in putting the trip together, and look forward to another great trip in 2014! You can have a look at images from the trip here.