THE Fitzpatrick Clan of North Kilkenny gathered in force in Freshford on Friday to honour their kinsman artist Edmund Fitzpatrick.
Occasion was the launch of Ned Kennedy’s booklet on the life and work of the 19th century artist whose bicentenary occurs this year.
Edmund Fitzpatrick was baptised in Freshford on February 14, 1822.
Art history was created when nine Fitzpatrick paintings were displayed together for the first time at the launch in Ionad Lachtain Heritage Centre.
Two of the paintings are part of the Kilkenny Castle Collection and were displayed courtesy of the Board of Works, Kilkenny Castle.
The other seven are all in private ownership. The committee at Ionad Lachtain is grateful to all the owners who facilitated the exhibition and helped to make it such an historic occasion.
A number of Fitzpatrick illustrations from the Illustrated London news will be on permanent display at the centre for the rest of the year.
MARY FITZPATRICK THANKED
Lord and Lady Bellew of Barmeath Castle in Co Louth attended the event and Lord Bellew launched the book.
His ancestors, the Bryans of Jenkinstown House, commissioned paintings from the artist and Lord Bellew gave an interesting description of two of the paintings from the Barmeath Collection during his address.
Ned Kennedy gave a short biography of Edmund Fitzpatrick. He thanked all who helped to make a success of the evening and those who facilitated research for the booklet.
He acknowledged the contribution of Mary Fitzpatrick who provided family lore and documents which greatly added to the available information.
Printer Emmett Barnaville was praised for the quality of the printed booklet.
Edmund Fitzpatrick Artist and Illustrator is on sale in O’Shea’s, Freshford and at all Kilkenny bookshops.
It costs €12 and the proceeds go to Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre.
