Achill the inspiration for Mullingar artist’s work

The scenery of Achill, and the vistas of the Wild Atlantic Way provide the chief sources of inspiration for the award-winning Mullingar-based artist, Padraig McCaul.

Some of the fruits of his last year of work are to go on show at his two-day 'Christmas Studio Exhibition' in the Mullingar Park Hotel, (11am-6pm) on December 6 and 7.

The show will feature new original oil paintings from his Mullingar studio as well as a selection of limited edition prints, art cards and wax print hurricane lanterns. Plenty of ideas to choose from for Christmas gifts.

This will be Padraig’s last exhibition of the year and follows a successful show at Art Source in the RDS.

Among the other highlights of 2025 Padraig was selected as a finalist in the Westmeath County Enterprise Awards and he held solo exhibitions in The Doorway Gallery, Dublin and the Lahinch Art Gallery in Clare.

Using familiar themes of west of Ireland cottages and old farmhouses, and his signature figurative work, each painting is filled with an abundance of colour and life. Outward looking, bright, open landscapes are contrasted with more personal, inward looking figurative pieces.

Padraig, who has a studio in Achill as well as in Mullingar, says his paintings are inspired by the untamed landscapes and coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way.

He lived on Achill Island for 10 years, and credits it with having had a profound influence on his paintings, which are inspired by the natural beauty and colour of the surrounding landscape.

Padraig has exhibited internationally in London, New York and Australia and holds regular exhibitions in Ireland with galleries in Dublin and along the west coast. His work can viewed at padraigmccaul.com.