"The Old Homeplace... The Western Shore, Ireland" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"The Old Homeplace... The Western Shore, Ireland"... 18x24" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"St Mary's Lane, Kilkenny, Ireland" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"St Mary's Lane, Kilkenny, Ireland"... 30x15" Oil on wood by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

Tami and I thoroughly loved the old city of Kilkenny... it's old world charm was enchanting. The architectural treats like this one seemed to lurk down every alley and around every corner. We would have loved to have had more time to explore this medieval city in detail. Check out the links below for virtual tours...

St. Mary's Cathedral

Kilkenny: Ireland's Medieval City

A Kilkenny, Ireland Photographic Tour

Erin Grá Mo Chroí (Ireland Of My Heart)... Vale of Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland.

Erin Grá Mo Chroí (Ireland Of My Heart)... Vale of Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland... 18x24" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

What would a painting series of Ireland be without Celtic Crosses? This scene is set in Glendalough, County Wicklow, near the monastic Church of St Kevin. Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch, “Valley of the Two Lakes”) is a fascinating monastic settlement in a spectacular natural setting just an hour south of Dublin. The monastery was founded by St. Kevin, a hermit monk who died about 618 AD. The extensive ruins of Glendalough include several early churches, a graceful round tower, and various sites associated with the life of St. Kevin.

The title for this piece was inspired by a verse in the song Erin Gra' Mo Chroi (pronounced Erin Grah Ma Cree and translated... Ireland of my Heart). A fitting title since the small island did exactly that... captured our hearts!

Song verse from Erin Gra' Mo Chroi that inspired this painting...

On the day that I did part, well it broke my mother’s heart, Will I ever see my dear ones anymore? Not until my bones are laid in that cold and silent grave, In my own native land so far away..

Chorus: Erin gra mo chroi, you’re the dear old land to me, You’re the fairest that my eyes have ever seen, And if ever I go home, it’s from you I never will roam, My own native land far away.

Interesting links:

St. Kevin - founder of Glendalough

Kevin of Glendalough

History of Glendalough

Youtube video of Shannon Lambert-Ryan & Runa performing Erin, Grá Mo Chroí...

"A view of Kilkenny Castle from the River Nore"... County Kilkenny, Ireland

"A view of Kilkenny Castle from the River Nore"... County Kilkenny, Ireland... 16x12" oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

Kilkenny: Ireland's Medieval City

Suzanne Barrett's

Ireland for Visitors

YouTube video... Global Treasures KILKENNY Gill Chainnigh Ireland


Kilkenny Castle Shoot, Patrick Barron, cameraman

Ha' penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

Ha' penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland.. 16x20" Oil on stretched canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

This is the best known of Dublin's bridges. It was built in 1816 and was the first iron bridge in Ireland. It is a single span structure with cast iron railings and decorative lamps and crosses the River Liffey. It was originally named the Liffey Bridge but is now called the Ha'penny because until 1919 to cross it there was a half-penny charge.

Tami and I must have crossed this Dublin landmark a hundred times (for FREE) in our three day stay there. It was so strange to see it finally get dark around 11 o'clock at night... this was painted from a photo I took... proof that we really stayed out LATE that night.

As you cross the Ha'penny bridge you enter the Temple Bar district through the Merchant's Arch which can be seen in this painting. The Merchant's Arch is a formal entry point to the area and dates from the days when ships sailed up the River Liffey to dock here and trade with local merchants.

Video of HA'PENNY BRIDGE Dublin Ireland set to U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday"


Video... Ha Penny Bridge on St. Paddy's Day

"Ross Castle"... Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland

"Ross Castle"... Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland... 14x18" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr. 2009.

This was our view of Ross Castle as we were enjoying our jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park. It rained on and off that day... you get a sense of those ominous rain clouds rolling in in this painting.

Ross Castle sits on the edge of Killarney's lower lake and was built by O'Donoghue Mór in the 15th century. It was the last stronghold in Munster to hold out against Cromwell. It was eventually taken by General Ludlow in 1652.

"Ladies View"... Ring of Kerry, County Kerry, Ireland

"Ladies View"... Ring of Kerry, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland 14x18" Oil of gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

Ladies View is a scenic point along of the Ring of Kerry, in Killarney National Park, Ireland. The name comes from admiration of the view given by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting during their 1861 visit. Ladies View is the most famous and photographed view of Killarney and is approximately 11 miles from Killarney town, on the N71 to Kenmare.

Short YouTube video of "Ladies View" on the Ring of Kerry...

Thatched Roof Cottage #3, County Clare, Ireland

Thatched Roof Cottage #3, County Clare, Ireland by Bernie Rosage Jr... 8x8x1.75" Oil on wood, 2009.

The Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland

The Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland by Bernie Rosage Jr. 11x14" Oil on Gallery Wrapped canvas. 2009.

Blarney Castle, County Cork, Ireland

Blarney Castle, County Cork, Ireland... by Bernie Rosage Jr.

6x8" Oil on Panel, 2009.

"Off to Kiss the Blarney Stone"... Our Quest for the Gift of Gab!

"Galway Hooker"

I realize this title sounds a bit provocative... especially to an American becoming acquainted with a Galway Hooker for the first time. Before our trip to Ireland a friend told me to be sure to take photos of the Galway Hookers when we visited the Western Shore knowing I would love to paint them as a subject... my jaw dropped as I seemed perplexed... she then told me to go home and google "Galway Hooker"... the joke was on me! I've had a fascination with Galway Hookers ever since!

"Galway Hooker" by Bernie Rosage Jr. 10x8" Oil on Panel, 3-2009.
Click on image to enlarge.

Check out these videos to see some real Galway Hookers in action...
Interview from Sailing Documentary by Joleen Cronin


Seoltóireacht Ghéar TG4
Promotional video about a new Galway Hooker Series on TG4

Sean Dempsey and the Rare Auld Times

"Sean Dempsey and the Rare Auld Times" by Bernie Rosage Jr... 30x24" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Close up.

This painting was inspired by a couple of photos I took while in Ireland plus one of my favorite Irish songs. Photo #1 was a Dublin pub sign that read "Guinness and Dublin in the Rare Auld Times"... Photo #2 was actually taken in Galway City on this old salt enjoying a pint of the black stuff outside a Galway pub. The name for the piece comes from one of my favorite Irish folk songs... "Dublin in the Rare Auld Times" which mentions Sean Demsey... thus the title for this painting.

Enjoy this video and listen to the lyrics and let the story behind this painting unfold before your eyes and ears...

Dubliners : In the Rare Auld Times : Dublin Ireland Photos

What the heck is that?

Can you guess what the four white spots below are?



This extreme close up shows exactly how our minds can fill in the blanks and finish a painting for us. Impressionism is based on this theory... as our our minds eye mixes the colors and brings form to random shapes we can identify complex subjects with little input. Pretty cool huh?

Scroll down to see what these shapes represent and you can see the subject come to life.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... email Bernie with the title in the subject line... click HERE... for price and details...

Click on image to enlarge...


"The Bunratty Mill, County Clare Ireland"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima with palette knife, 1-2009.

Did you guess four Irish sheep?

Bravo!

WIP's... Works In Progress for the series.

Here are a couple of paintings in various stages that I am working on for the Enchanting Ireland series...

Working on a landscape of the awesome vista at "Ladies View" from Killarney National Park on the Ring of Kerry. "Ladies View" is so called because during Queen Victory's visit to Ireland in 1861, her ladies in waiting came to this area and were really impressed with the view.

Irish stew topped with mashed potatoes and Guinness gravy plus a pint of the dark stuff... Slainte!

There are Umbrellas and then there are Irish Umbrellas! The quest to get WET in Ireland!

A trip to Ireland without rain would be like going to Disney World and never seeing Mickey Mouse. Some people dread rainy days but I have to be honest by saying "I love them"... I enjoy gray rainy days as much as I do bright sunny ones. Give me a day with ominous gray clouds where the sunlight streams through illuminating the landscape making the 40 shades of green POP and I'm in Heaven! Our trip surpassed our expectations and Tami and I got wet on several occasions. The rain didn't slow us up at all and we took to the streets of Dublin, Kilarney, and Galway City like ducks to a pond.

As an artist... I saw all the painting opportunities from the great scenes of the masses with umbrellas in hand and reflections galore... I must have taken 200 rain scene photos as references for future paintings. Below is a painting I did for my "Enchanting Ireland" series from one such photo. Above is a scene set in the Temple Bar District of Dublin.
"A Stroll in the Rain"... Dublin, Ireland by Bernie Rosage Jr.
8"H x 10"W x 1 3/4"D... Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. 12-2008. Click on painting to enlarge.

Tami and I soon came to the realization that there are two types of umbrellas... "Regular Umbrellas" and "Irish Umbrellas"! This young man obviously sports an "Irish Umbrella" as he strolls the streets of Dublin. The next sequence of photos show those of the "regular" type...

Here we are at the Dingle Peninsula on our tour of the "Ring of Kerry". We hope to visit the "Ring of Kerry" again on a clear day... you can see from this photo that the visibility was limited and we missed some spectacular views.

Tami in Temple Bar with her "Regular Umbrella" while it was still in fairly good shape.

Bernie at the Parade Ground of the Collins Barracks at the National Museum of History in Dublin with his...

At one point "Regular Umbrella #2" flew up in the air, circled through the street stopping traffic, and landed at my feet... all the while the handle was still in my hand and the locals were rolling with laughter.

Tami and I learned an important lesson on our trip to Ireland... stay away from those "Euro Store" umbrellas they stack by the register and ask where they keep the "Irish Umbrellas"...