A huge thank you to everyone who came out to attend the opening of PLACE last night.

We were absolutely delighted to see a full room at the Irish Georgian Society’s City Assembly House in Dublin and to hear such wonderful responses to this collection of handmade rugs and wall hangings, created in collaboration with 11 Irish artists.

 

 

The exhibition will be open for viewing until Sunday 27th September, before the first editions are auctioned by Whyte’s Auctioneers on Monday 28th September.

A very special thank you to Eamon Maxwell, who officially opened the exhibition, followed by an inspirational performance of poetry, music and dance by Lani O’Hanion and Fergal O’Connor. Thank you both for your beautiful contribution, which set the scene for such a memorable evening.

     

 

Huge thanks also to Wicklow Way Wines for providing their award-winning Irish strawberry wine, Móinéir — the perfect addition to the evening.

      

This collection has been over a year and a half in the making, but the idea behind it began with Ceadogán’s Island exhibition in 2022.

Following that exhibition, a small fibre herd of alpaca was introduced to the fields surrounding the Ceadogán studios and showroom, with funds raised through the show helping to support and regenerate habitat for the birds and wildlife that share this space.

 

 

Since then, a large pond has been created, field boundaries have been offset by six metres to create wider areas for wildlife, and large “hare’s corners” have been established. Bird and owl nesting boxes have been installed, and more than 100 native trees have been planted, including birch, oak, Scots pine, alder and hazel, alongside a selection of heritage apple trees from Burren Beo.

 

 

The sight of returning swallows swooping into the pond for water and insects has been a particular source of joy this year as preparations for PLACE were underway. Dragonflies, frogs, bats, badgers, foxes, pine martins, otters — and all manner of plants and birds — have appeared here in the years since Island.

The vision then was to continue creating collaborative work that would make use of the fleece produced here, allowing the work itself to become directly enmeshed in, and supportive of, the habitat that surrounds it.

We are delighted that 10% of all profits generated from this exhibition will be donated to the Irish Wildlife Trust, supporting the important work they do.

 

 

It brings us great pleasure to bring this collection of rugs and wall hangings to the City Assembly House. Every piece has been handmade in Wexford using natural materials, incorporating Wicklow Romney wool from Éiru and Ceadogán’s own alpaca yarns.

The collaborative process with each of the artists has been inspiring and thoroughly enjoyed, and we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has helped bring this show to fruition — the artists, makers, organisers and promoters, John and Patrick of Culturehead.

 

 

PLACE is open every day from 10am–5pm, and Sundays from 12pm–5pm, until Sunday 27th September.

We look forward to welcoming you there.