Scáthanna na n-am atá caite / Shadows of past times

Original Painting

Medium: Palette knife oil painting on canvas.
Size: 20”x 30”

Castleshane Desmesne, not far from Monaghan town, is now a fantastic area to walk with wide open land, where wildflowers grow contrasting against shadowed walkways through forested narrow paths that almost lead to a mysterious waterfall. The estate belonged to the Lucas family; their “big house” being burnt down in 1920. According to a story on Dúchas.ie, the school’s collection, a mysterious black hare was seen running from the property that night, making its way to the Rossmore Forest area. The hare has always been considered a magical creature in Irish mythology, sometimes a portent of good, sometimes of misfortune, and a black hare could also be a guise of the mischievous Púca. In a sense it’s no surprise that a being of folklore is associated with Castleshane as the name itself comes from Caisleán tSiáin, meaning the castle of the fairy mound. In this picture, I painted one of those sunlit paths, at the time all manner of wildflowers blooming, but particularly the abundance of Willow Herbs. In the distance I hinted at two figures, in old-fashioned dress, as I’m sure the previous occupants would have often walked this path, now available for all to enjoy.