Bob Ó Cathail

Bob Ó Cathail is a self-taught artist who lives in Ventry, Corca Dhuibhne, Co. Kerry, since 1993. He has been a regular visitor since 1976. Born and raised in County Carlow and from there he travelled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Having spent periods at work in England, Holland, Israel and India, he returned to Ireland, first to Dublin and then to Kerry.
The style and content of his work varies greatly but his bold use of colour and strong design make it instantly recognisable. His particular style comes from a background in Celtic Art, heraldic art, signwriting and mural painting. He has given night classes and workshops in block printing, Celtic design and calligraphy, as well as drawing and painting.

Bob’s work has graced the covers of many books, including the best-seller “The Bodhrán Makers” by John B. Keane. His woodcuts illustrate “Honey from Stone” by American writer Chet Raymo and “Molly Keane’s Ireland” The artists who have most influenced his work are Picasso, Van Gogh, Chagall and Matisse. Put together with his "Celtic” background, it makes an explosive mixture!
Bob has been organising solo exhibitions and taking part in group shows for nearly twenty years now and his colourful paintings have found homes in many lands throughout the world.
All visitors are welcome to visit his studio in Ballintlea, (Ventry), to purchase works directly or discuss commissions or simply to meet Bob and watch as he works.

Bob Ó Cathail

BEATHAISNÉIS

Ealaíontóir féin-mhúinte is ea Bob Ó Cathail atá ina chónaí i gCeann Tra, Corca Dhuibhne ó 1993 i leith. Is i gContae Cheatharlach a rugadh agus a tógadh é. agus as san a chuaigh sé ar a chamchuairt ar fúd na hEorpa, an Mheáin Oirthir agus na hÁise. Tar éis dó tréimhsí a chaitheamh ag obair i Sasana, san Isiltír, in Israel agus san Ind, d’fhill sé ar Éirinn, ar dtús go Baile Átha Cliath agus ansan go Ciarraí.
Is fuiriste a stíl a aithint de bharr réimse agus éagsúlacht leathan ábhair in a chuid saothair, agus as na dathanna agus dearadh láidir a úsáideann sé. Is léir go dtagann an stíl áirithe seo as a chúlra san Ealaíon Cheilteach, ealaíon araltach, ag obair mar dhathadóir chomharthaí agus ag péinteáil múrmhaisí.
Chaith sé tréimhse ag múineadh ealaíne i ranganna oíche agus ceardlanna, i gclódóireacht bloic, i ndearadh Ceilteach, agus i bpeannaireacht, chomh maith le líníocht agus péintéaracht.

Is mó leabhar a ornáidíonn saothar Uí Chathail a chlúdach, ina measc san leabhar mór-ráchairte The Bodhrán Makers le John B. Keane. Maisíonn a ghearrthóga adhmaid leabhar iontach, Honey from Stone leis an scríbhneoir Meiriceánach Chet Raymo, chomh maith le Molly Keane’s Ireland.
‘ Siad na healaíontóirí is mó a spreagann Bob ná Picasso, Van Gogh Chagall agus Matisse, agus is meascán inphléasctha do iad seo agus an cúlra Ceilteach a chur le céile.
Tá Bob ag plé le taispeántaisí aonair agus grúpa le beagnach fiche bliain anuas, agus tá a chuid pictiúr scapaithe ar fúd na cruinne.
Cuirfear fáilte roimh gach éinne go dtí an stúdio i mBaile an tSléibhe (Fionn Trá) chun bualadh le Bob agus breathnú air i mbun oibre.

Bob Ó Cathail

Solo Exhibitions

Group Exhibitions

Oileán - 1994 – Dingle, Belfast, Dublin
Oileán - 1995 – Dingle, Belfast, Galway
Frank Lewis Gallery (annually) from 1985
Halle Irland Festival, Germany 1994, 1995
Siamsa Tíre, Tralee 1998, 1999, 2000
Dáréag na Mílaoise, An Díseart, Dingle 1999
Art in Action, An Díseart, Dingle, 2000
Bín Bán Gallery, Tralee, from 1994 on

Bob Ó Cathail

Collections

Dept. of the Taoiseach, Govt. Buildings, Dublin
Tom Kitt, TD, Dublin
Alan Shatter TD, Dublin
Chet Raymo, Boston USA
Firhouse Community College, Dublin
V.E.C. Tralee
Frank Lewis, Killarney
Louis & Lisbeth Mulcahy, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh
Prof. Kent Hooper, Gig Harbor, Seattle, USA
Bank of Ireland, Tallaght, Dublin
Volksbank, Rheine, Germany
Limerick Teachers’ Centre
Jerry Brady Collection, Idaho Falls, USA

Book Covers

The Bodhrán Makers by John B. Keane, (Brandon Books, Dingle)
Man of the Triple Name by John B. Keane, (Brandon Books, Dingle)
Schnitzer O’ Shea by Dónal Mac Amhlaigh, (Brandon Books, Dingle)
2nd Irish Christmas Book (Blackstaff Press, Belfast)
Honey From Stone by Chet Raymo, ( Dodd Mead, New York)
Scéalta agus Seanchas Phádraig Uí Grifín (An Sagart, An Daingean)
Dancing Through by Gabriel Fitzmaurice (Beaver Row, Dublin)
Between the Hills and Sea - Oidhreacht Bhaile Uí Thaidhg, Co. Chiarraí
A Wrenboys’ Carnival by Gabriel Fitzmaurice (Wolfhound, Dublin)
The Village Sings by Gabriel Fitzmaurice (Storyline Press, Oregon)

Book Illustrations

Honey from Stone - by Chet Raymo, (Dodd Mead, New York)
Molly Keane’s Ireland (HarperCollins, London)
Cath Fionntra - by Aogán Ó Muircheartaigh, (Coiscéim, Dublin)