Civil War prison art exhibition opens at Louth County Archives

Photo Caption: David Conway, Chief Executive, Louth County Council; Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District; brothers Prof Tim McGloughlin and Vincent McGloughlin, grandsons of artist Alfred McGloughlin; Lorraine McCann, County Archivist with Louth County Council; Brian Crowley, Curator of Collections at Kilmainham Gaol and the Pearse Museum; and Amanda Branigan, County Librarian and Head of Cultural Services at Louth County Council at the official opening of the “Intervals of Peace: The Civil War Prison Art of Alfred McGloughlin” exhibition at Louth County Archives.

Louth County Council’s Archives Service yesterday launched a new exhibition: “Intervals of Peace: The Civil War Prison Art of Alfred McGloughlin.”  The exhibition, which is free to attend, was officially opened by Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District, David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, and Professor Tim McGloughlin, grandson of the artist.

Alfred McGloughlin (also known as Alf MacLochlainn) was an artist, writer, and revolutionary born in Dublin in 1888. He grew up in the Pearse household, his mother was a half-sister of Patrick and William Pearse, and shared their love of art, literature, and politics. During the Irish Civil War, Alfred supported the Anti-Treaty side and was imprisoned from 1922 to 1923. While in Wellington Barracks, Mountjoy Jail, and Harepark, he continued to sketch, capturing life among fellow prisoners.

His grandson, Prof Tim McGloughlin, rediscovered the drawings in the 1980s among family belongings. After years of careful preservation, they were exhibited at Kilmainham Gaol and the Pearse Museum at St Enda’s, Rathfarnham in 2022 and 2023. The exhibition’s title comes from a 1932 obituary in An Phoblacht, which described Alfred as spending “the intervals of peace in prison sketching in watercolours and filling a portfolio with pencil drawings of his comrades.”

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition Prof Tim McGloughlin said:

“It’s incredibly meaningful to see my grandfather’s artwork now on display in Dundalk, in a space with its own deep ties to Ireland’s revolutionary history. These drawings, created during some of the darkest days of the Civil War, reflect not only Alfred’s artistic talent but also the resilience and humanity of those imprisoned with him. After successful exhibitions in Kilmainham Gaol and the Pearse Museum, I’m delighted that the people of Louth now can experience this unique glimpse into our shared past.”

Cllr Dolores Minogue Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District welcomed the exhibition saying:

“It is with great pride that we officially open the Intervals of Peace exhibition here at the Louth County Archives. This remarkable collection is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving our stories for future generations. I warmly encourage everyone—locals and visitors alike—to come and experience this free exhibition. It is a celebration of our heritage, our community, and the enduring value of peace.”

David Conway, Chief Executive, Louth County Council said:

‘This exhibition offers a chance to reflect on the early days of the State and the people who helped shape it—often in very difficult circumstances and it’s fitting that they’re being shown in a building that was part of that history. As a Council, we’re proud to support projects like this and welcome this exhibition to a very appropriate place, our archives museum. A place that connects our community with its past and help us understand how our civic society has grown. I would ask our citizens and tourists alike to visit this exhibition.”

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Lorraine McCann, County Archivist with Louth County Council added:

“It’s a real honour for Louth County Council to host this exhibition, especially after its successful runs in Kilmainham Gaol and the Pearse Museum. This exhibition will give us a unique insight into not only the artistic journey of Alfred McGloughlin but also the activities of those who were imprisoned in various camps during this period of struggle for Irish independence.”

The exhibition will run at the Louth County Archives, Old Gaol, Ardee Road, Dundalk from 12th November 2025 – 26th February 2026. Admission is FREE and booking is required. Contact Louth County Council’s Archives Service on 042-9324358 to book your visit.