Idir na Crainn / Between the trees

Original Painting

Medium: A palette knife acrylic on canvas.
Size: 20”x 28”

Not far from Castleblayney, in County Armagh, is a fantastic example of a Dún or fort, that of Corliss Fort. The name Corliss comes from the Irish, but unfortunately its meaning is unclear, there being several interpretations, i.e. The Circular Fort, the Conspicuous Fort or the Fort of Help or Protection. The Liss part of the name comes from Lios which is one name for a type of fort and is a common part of many Irish placenames. This place is so well preserved and most likely dates from early Christian to perhaps late Medieval times at least. The high beech trees planted over a century ago seem to give it an extra status as a place of prominence and I was so taken by the amazing views of the South Armagh and Monaghan landscape. The day I was there, the clouds were scurrying across the sky, bringing bouts of heavy squally showers from deep grey/almost purple clouds, interspersed by warm brilliant sunshine, the perfect recipe for a painting.