Newry and Mourne Museum was delighted to be presented with a copy of a portrait of Éamon de Valera, President of Ireland from 1959–1973.
The portrait was painted by the highly acclaimed, Newry-born artist, Margaret Clarke (neé Crilly) in 1928 and the original is in the Irish News Collection. The presentation was made by Mr James Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Irish News, at a special event on Wednesday 11 May 2016.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane, said: “We would like to thank the Irish News for this welcome addition to the Museum Collection. The copy of the portrait by the Newry artist, Margaret Clarke, comes at an opportune time as she will figure prominently in our forthcoming temporary exhibition ‘Women in Newry and Mourne in the 20 century’, which will be open to the public from 27 May.”
The copy of the portrait will be used by the Museum in a number of ways including educational activities with children and adults and in events associated with the ‘Decade of Centenaries‘.
Mr James Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Irish News said: “I was pleased to learn that the Museum was including the Newry-born artist, Margaret Clarke in its exhibition on ‘Women in Newry and Mourne in the 20th century’ and I am delighted to lend a painting. It also seemed appropriate to make a gift of a copy of the unique portrait of de Valera executed by Margaret Clarke in 1928. The archival quality print was made by Bryan Rutledge using a high resolution digital camera.”
Newry and Mourne Museum is open to the public seven days a week with admission free of charge.
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