Newry and Mourne Museum to Host Talk on Early Career of Margaret Clarke

On the 25 March, Newry and Mourne Museum will host a fascinating insight into one of Ireland’s most important female artists, Margaret Clarke, in association with the Old Newry Society. 

The talk will focus on Clarke’s early career and will be delivered by the Slide Curator at UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy, Carla Briggs, who in 2017 contributed an essay to the catalogue accompanying the 'Margaret Clarke (1884-1961) An Independent Spirit' exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland.

The talk will examine Margaret’s time at Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, her success as a student, teaching assistant to Sir William Orpen and subsequently as a life-drawing teacher. It will consider the friendships forged among a ‘happy working family’ of fellow students including her future husband, Harry Clarke.  It will also consider the shift in Clarke’s career from her initial intention to be an art teacher to a determined and successful pursuit of a career as a professional artist.

Margaret was born as Margaret Crilley in Thomas Street in Newry.  She began her studies at Newry Municipal Technical College in the twentieth century where she achieved first-class results in the South Kensington Board of Education exams in 1905/06 and 1906/07.  After further training in Dublin she established herself as one of Ireland’s premier portrait painters in the 1920’s and 1930’s. She painted many important public figures including Éamon de Valera and Archbishop John MacQuaid.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “In recognition of Margaret Clarke’s artistic achievements as a local-born artist and her national status as a key figure in Irish art, the Newry and Mourne Museum has acquired several of her paintings over the past few years. As a regional museum, it is important for us to showcase and provide insights into the significant figures from our local area who contribute immensely across various genres, including art, business and politics. This will to be a fascinating afternoon for anyone interested in exploring art history and gaining a deeper understanding of Margaret Clarke’s life and work as a painter.”

To book your place and for more information, please contact: Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org. The talk will commence at 2pm and the entrance fee costs £2 per person.