Exhibition at Offaly library marks first anniversary of local artist's death

A RETROSPECTIVE exhibition of the work of Birr artist Frankie Gallagher will be on show in Birr Library for the month of June, to mark the first anniversary of his death.

The exhibition began last Wednesday but the official launch will take place on this Wednesday June 11^th at 6.30pm and will be performed by Lady Alison Rosse. Tea and coffee will be served. All are invited. The paintings on display are not for sale, they were kindly loaned by his beloved wife Dympna.
Frankie was the youngest of nine children, born to Brendan and Peggy Gallagher on February 2^nd 1963. His father, who was an Army man and served in England and the Congo, died three weeks after Frankie's birth. His death was attributed to a fall he had sustained while working on the cathedral in Killaloe. His wife Peggy, originally from Killaloe, settled in number 18 High Street, after his death, where Frankie lived out the remainder of his life. All his siblings except Brendan, who lives in England, and Anne, who lives in Killaloe, predeceased Frankie.

Frankie was drawing from an early age, taking his drawing materials down the fields to sketch outdoors in nature. His love of drawing and painting was encouraged in Primary school, and at second level in St Brendan’s Community School, where he was further encouraged by his art teacher, Jean Forristal. He had very fond memories of the encouragement Bro. Denis continuously gave him to pursue his art.

After leaving school Frankie went to England, for a spell, working in the food and beverage industry. On his return to Birr, he worked in Dooly’s Hotel restaurant and LD Intercon Ltd.

The first Art Group he joined was facilitated by Martin Spillane. Tanya Bond's classes further enhanced Frankie’s skills.

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Frankie attended the Birr Mental Health centre, where his art took off, due to the encouragement of the staff there. Frankie went on to tutor the group at their weekly sessions, which was a great boost to his confidence.

Frankie met Dympna at a dance on St Stephen’s Night in 1994 and they were inseparable thereafter. Dympna was drawn to Frankie’s kind easy going, gentle nature. They were both animal lovers, enjoyed long walks, travelling, films and TV shows about antiques, art and history. Both Dympna and Frankie enjoyed a deep faith, travelling to Knock every year.

His first magical trip to Fatima was in May 2023, just a year before he died. They were both involved in The Tidy Towns and Birr Vintage Week, always getting into the spirit of Vintage Week by hiring costumes and attending the various events. Frankie had a keen interest in history which he shared with his good friend John, who never failed to visit him during his illness.

The themes in Frankie’s work reflect his love of nature, his love of the town and especially St Brendan’s Church, the castle, where he enjoyed many walks with Dympna, and sunsets reminiscent of those he would have experienced in Barcelona. He loved the vibrant colours of his favourite artist Van Gogh, whose work he saw on visits to Amsterdam.

Frankie’s keen eye and attention to detail are evident in his drawings and beautifully executed watercolours. His love of art was the defining aspect of Frankie’s life. His work featured in nearly every art group exhibition held in Birr. He was always well supported, and those of us lucky enough to have purchased one of his pieces will always treasure it and think of the kind, gentle artist who created it.

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He is sadly missed by all in The Birr Art Group and they hope this exhibition will go some way towards celebrating what was Frankie’s great passion and his life’s work.

All are invited to come along to the exhibition opening in Birr Library on this Wednesday June 11^th at 6.30pm.