Tory Island Painters

Running from July to September.

The rugged scenic Tory Island is an island situated 11km of the North-West coast of Co. Donegal. The Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) island is steeped in history and mythology and is the home to the Tory school of painters.

The renowned English artist Derek Hill (b.1916- d.2000) became a frequent visitor to the island in the 1950’s where he worked from a small hut studio (formally a Lloyds of London shipping signal hut) painting the wild landscapes and portraits of the islanders.

On one such occasion while out painting an islander by the name of James Dixon came upon him while he worked. Derek asked him what he thought of his painting and James simply answered ‘I think I could do better myself’… this amused Derek and it sparked a lasting friendship between them. Derek encouraged James to paint and would send him materials from time to time but not brushes as James preferred to make his own brushes from his donkeys tail. This was the beginning of the Tory school of painters.

These artists through their painting captured a unique record of island life. The school of painters that developed included Patsy Dan Rodgers (King of Tory), Ruairí Rodgers, John Dixon and James Rodgers with a second generation including the very talented Anton Meenan. Áras Éanna is delighted to present this exhibition, showcasing a new generation of artists who continue the legacy of the Tory Island painters,  a movement born from the chance encounter between Derek Hill and James Dixon in the 1950s