Birr Reverend's art exhibition is raising money for a good cause
‘This has been a labour of love’
The Birr art exhibition “Keeping a clear mind” is raising money for a very good cause and people are urged to support it during its Vintage Week opening.
Conceived by Rev Arthur Minion, the exhibition is running daily throughout the festival from 2 to 4pm.
Rev Arthur is Rector of Birr Parish with Lorrha Dorrha Lockeen Union of Parishes. Known for his hardworking and outgoing personality the Reverend is also known for his abstract art in which he explores the themes of faith, daily life and the challenges that shape our emotional and spiritual journeys. His exhibition is being held in St Brendan’s Rectory, Ballindarra, R42 PY68 and reflects on navigating life’s complexities with clarity and purpose. Teas and coffees are served for visitors and there will be a donation box, the contents of which will go towards the Dorrha Church Window Fund.
Dorrha (Pallas) Church of Ireland Church is near Rathcabbin and five of its windows need to be restored. The cost of the restoration will be €20,000 and Rev Arthur says they are €7,000 shy of that target. All donations will be very gratefully received.
Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to view the beautiful garden created by the Reverend and his wife Susan. They have created three ponds with wild frogs, tadpoles, beetles and a vibrant array of natural pond life. “When we moved to Birr four years ago,” said Susan, “we brought a lot of plants. ‘Maximum impact, minimum maintenance’ was our mantra as we created our garden. In conversation one afternoon with Paul Smyth, the Head Gardener in RHSI Bellefield House, Shinrone, we decided to embark on an ambitious tree planting programme. We have now planted about a hundred trees in the garden, which we’re are calling ‘The Littlewood’. Thank you to Paul Smyth for his invaluable advice, and to Mick Cotter (Birr Environmental Scheme) and Joe Harding (Gardener at the beautifully developed County Arms Hotel Gardens) for their hard work in installing the ground works of the project and the planting. This has been a labour of love.”