Tommy Corcoran beside one of his paintings titled 'Portrait of Seamus Heaney' by Wexford artist Anthony Doyle (Available for sale at Mo Phaisean Art Gallery)

Mo Phaisean Art Gallery to launch Exhibition of Works by prominent Irish artists

On Saturday November 5 Tommy Corcoran of Mo Phaisean Art Gallery in Milltownpass will host a free event showcasing a collection of paintings by celebrated Irish Artists past and present.

Tommy, who has been building his collection for the past 20 years, describes it as “Irish Culture displayed through Art.

"I’m drawn towards paintings that demonstrate Irish heritage, Women in shawls, Irish travellers, thatched cottages, ploughing with horses and that kind of thing…. Paintings that conjure memories of old.”

The collection of over one hundred paintings includes works from artists such as Maurice Canning Wilks, James Bingham, Victor Richardson, John B Yeats, Jack Yeats, John Francis Skelton, John Skelton Snr, Donal McNaughton, P.O. Concubair, Jill Whyte, Maurice McGonigal, Pat O'Neill, Hugh Clarkson, Kevin Simms, Robert D. Beattie and others.

Passionate about art from a very young age Tommy built Mo Phaisean Art Gallery in his back garden during 2019 lockdowns to share his passion with others, and to sell some of his collection in the process.

The paintings in Mo Phaisean start at around 500 euro for a Donal McNaughton or a Deirdre O’Donnell and his most expensive painting at the moment is 5.5k which is a portrait by Lily Williams 1872 - 1940.

According to Tommy “People often think that art is too expensive for them but I want people to know that art is more accessible than they might think and an investment in a painting by one of my artists is going to hold its value better than money in the bank.”

These days Tommy is doing as much buying as he is selling.

“I started out buying paintings using online auctions where I would trawl through searching for certain artists and nowadays I purchase from private individuals also.

"I provide a free valuation service so if you’re a private individual and you have a piece of art I can value it for you. I focus mostly on well known Irish artists and choose investment pieces that I think will increase in value.

"Some of my paintings are over 200 years old and many of the artists are no longer alive.”

The exhibition will take place between 12 noon and 2pm on Saturday November the 5 and Tommy is hoping to create “a nice informal atmosphere where people can come just to enjoy the art over refreshments.”

Contact Tommy on 087 2685399 for more information and to reserve your place.