Longford-based arts initiative brings exhibition to Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery

HeARTlands Art Exhibitions, an artist-led creative initiative based in Longford has announced its forthcoming Winter Exhibition 2026, Spirit of the Land, taking place at the historic Kilbeggan Distillery from November 21 to 21 December 21.

Bringing together artists and photographers inspired by the natural beauty, cultural heritage, mythology and stories of Ireland, the exhibition promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, community and our enduring connection to the land.

The exhibition will be officially opened in Locke’s Lounge, Kilbeggan Distillery, on Saturday, November 21 at 12.30pm. Entry to the Exhibition is free. All are warmly welcome.

Guests will enjoy a special programme featuring: Opening speeches celebrating the exhibition and participating artists and poetry readings by writers and poets from across the region, including some whose visual artwork will also feature in the exhibition.

Featuring original artwork and photography, the exhibition will offer visitors a diverse range of artistic interpretations of the land and the stories it holds.

The historic Kilbeggan Distillery with its centuries-old industrial heritage and distinctive architecture is the perfect venue for this exhibition. By bringing art into heritage spaces, HeARTlands hopes to encourage new audiences to engage with creativity while celebrating the cultural and historical significance of the places that make our region unique.

At its core, this exhibition is about the Spirit of Ireland, its people, the land and our communities with a little nod to the ‘Uisce Beatha’ the Spirit of Kilbeggan. It’s also a celebration of love — love of the land, love of nature, love of heritage, love of community and love for the generations who will inherit the living landscape we leave behind.

Having already hosted exhibitions in both Longford and Roscommon over the past two years, HeARTlands Art Exhibitions is excited to be bringing this years winter exhibition to Kilbeggan where the work of artists from Longford, Westmeath , Roscommon, Cavan and further afield will grace the walls of Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery.

HeARTlands Art Exhibitions has an open call for artists. Each individual exhibition has its own Open Call Brief setting out the exhibition title, specific theme or curatorial direction, venue, dates, submission deadline, number of works invited, permitted dimensions and any venue-specific requirements. Submissions may be submitted until 12pm on Sunday, November 15. Click here to make a submission.

Founded by artists Anna Delaney and Phil Atkinson, HeARTlands is an independent, artist- led initiative based in Longford but representing artists living and working in the 11 counties of Irelands Heartlands Region.

They are dedicated to creating opportunities for visual artists, photographers, writers and other creatives to connect, exhibit, collaborate, and share their work with both local and global audiences.

Central to the organization is the belief that creativity belongs to everyone and that artistic communities thrive when emerging and established practitioners are provided opportunities to learn from one another, share experiences and develop meaningful creative relationships.

Through exhibitions, regular gatherings, cultural activities, collaborative projects and creative pilgrimage, HeARTlands is building a growing creative community that celebrates both individual artistic expression and the collective cultural identity of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.