Sculpting Irish History

Kilbaha Gallery on the Loopo Head Peninsula

It’s a long, long way to the Kilbaha Gallery on the Loop Head peninsula. And it’s worth every mile! For starters, the gallery itself, is filled with paintings, sketches, sculptures and more, all done by contemporary Irish artists.

“ We’ve only one rule here, really,” says Ailish Connolly who runs the gallery with her sister-in-law Liz Greehy. “We both have to love it, whatever it is. And every artist has a connection to this area. Some are even Americans but they have ties here.”

Seamus Connolly in his foundry working with bronze.

The other big story here, is Ailish’s husband. Seamus Connolly and his father James Connolly have a foundry just down the road. James has done lost wax bronze casting most of his life and Seamus has taken up the craft and become a world class sculptor himself.

Tools of the trade in the Connolly foundry.

In fact, Connolly has created nearly 40 life-size sculptors of Irish writers, playwrites, actors, politicians, entrepreneurs and G.A. athletes that are sprinkled around the country.

Head of the John F. Kennedy statue, Seamus crafted.

He is enthusiastic about each and every one of them. From John F. Kennedy, who everyone knows, to Brendan "O’Regan. “He was a guy who was a true civil servant. Not a politician, but a civil servant. He developed the Shannon airport, he came up with the concept of duty-free, he helped broker peac in Northern Ireland and…he invented Irish coffee,” Seamus tells me.

Seamus Connolly in his element.

Seamus pours his heart in to every statue, Ailish and Liz celebrate all forms of art. It’s a family affair alright. One where we, as visitors, all benefit.

You can find more on their work at:

https://www.kilbahagallery.com/

and https://seamusconnolly.carbonmade.com/