Book of Durrow celebrated in project in Offaly

DRAWING Darú, is a unique community arts initiative which invited participants to study and explore the intricate images and calligraphy of The Book of Durrow.

This Creative Ireland- funded project, launched in April and was facilitated by Visual Artist Claire Guinan, who ran eight weekly workshops with the ladies from the Tullamore Women’s Shed.

During the weekly classes, the women learned about the history of the ancient manuscript: the making of the ink, the meanings of the illustrations, the hidden symbols within the pages and the elements that are unique to this fascinating book, showing how important the Book of Durrow was to influencing the manuscripts that followed.

The ladies were encouraged to create artworks inspired from their learnings. They experimented with a number of different mediums including drawing, painting, needlework, clay and sewing. Creativity was very much encouraged and the ladies delivered with a beautiful collection of art works and a cloak. As well with their own Book of Durrow, showing the preparation work and information about the book.

The finished artworks celebrating the creative journey are being displayed in Esker Arts Tullamore during Heritage Week. The opening is on Saturday, August 15 at 12pm and runs until August 29. All welcome.

The Drawing Darú project was kindly supported by Offaly County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme 2026.