Acclaimed artist puts work on show to celebrate campaign

Acclaimed artist puts work on show to celebrate campaign

15 July 2015

CASTLE Ward is hosting a coastal art exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Hector McDonnell.

The event helps celebrate 50 years of the National Trust’s Enterprise Neptune coastline campaign for the on-going protection of the coastline.

Included in the exhibition are internationally renowned coastal sites, such as Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site, Strangford Lough and Murlough National Nature Reserve, as well as some of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems such as White Park Bay and Murlough Beach.

Hector is the son of the late Lord Antrim, who was involved in the foundation of Enterprise Neptune as chairman of the National Trust.

Born in Belfast and educated at Eton and Oxford, Hector studied painting in Munich and Vienna, and exhibits his work around the world.

Commenting on his Castle Ward exhibition, he said: “It is a great pleasure and honour to produce this exhibition in commemoration of the 50 years of Enterprise Neptune. It was the National Trust project which my father cared about deeply, and was very proud to have been involved in its inception. I have always loved our coastline and I hope that these paintings reflect some of its limitless magic.”

Jacqueline Baird, Castle Ward Visitor Services Manager, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Hector to Castle Ward and to host his captivating exhibition of the coastline of Northern Ireland.  

“His father’s legacy was an inspiration for his collection of fine pieces of coastal artwork and this will be a unique opportunity to see the work of a world renowned artist from Northern Ireland.”

The exhibition will run from July 19 to 29 July from 11am to 5pm, in the Castle Ward Theatre, where Hector will exhibit paintings of National Trust owned coastlines throughout Northern Ireland.