Cork County Council Unveils New Pop-up Exhibition in Cobh

5 paintings which make up part of the 'Echoes of a Harbour' exhibition in Cobh.

Cork County Council is delighted to support Cobh-based visual artist Eamonn Leahy’s newly opened pop-up exhibition of works inspired by the waterways, landforms and rich heritage of Cork Harbour. With the support of funding received through the Council’s Creative Start Up Scheme, Eamonn has transformed a former bakery on East Beach, Cobh into an exciting exhibition space just in time for the festive season.

The “Echoes of a Harbour” exhibition aims to connect the past with the present, catching moments of the region throughout the centuries. Through the mediums of charcoal, oil and acrylics, the artist takes viewers on a colourful journey. He illustrates scenes such as Dorothy Levitt setting the world's first water speed record, and World War I soldier’s pulling in a flying boat at the "Yankee pier" in Aghada. Influenced by old photographs and historical records, Eamonn Leahy explores stories that have shaped local landscapes and lives.

Speaking at the opening, Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. John Healy said

This is a wonderful example of how Cork County Council’s Creative Start-Up Scheme can be utilised. This most recent project joins a growing number of creative enterprises which Cork County Council has supported through the scheme over the past number of years such as, Blackwater Valley Makers in Fermoy, Owenabue Artist Collective in Carrigaline, Le Ceile Arts in Dunmanway, Susan Herlihy in Midleton, Orla O’Visual in Mallow and Cnoc na Bui Arts in Union Hall. Applications for a similar project will be welcomed in early 2024.

Speaking of the support from Cork County Council, artist Eamonn Leahy said "The Creative Ireland Start-up Scheme has allowed me to renovate the front part of a vacant retail space to launch my pop-up art exhibition. The support has enabled me to introduce my work and space to the local community and form new connections, building towards a permanent creative hub in the future."

The Creative Start-up Scheme is funded by Cork County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme and aims to support Artists, Designers, and Craftspeople to establish retail spaces in which to sell their work. The development of temporary or seasonal pop-up shops in vacant retail units helps to support the Council’s work revitalising commercial centres in towns and villages.  The scheme may also consider proposals from small retailers who wish to expand the number of artists or makers they currently show or extend the space they currently occupy.

“Echoes of a Harbour”, will take place from December 9th to 22nd from 11am-5pm at the former bakery, 18 East Beach, Cobh.  Entry to the exhibition is Free.