Pat O’Connor
Mountshannon Village and Berrytree Cafe
The Art of Pat O’Connor
Pat O’ Connor was born in Millstreet, Co. Cork and spent many of his formative years living on Sherkin Island and the Beara Peninsula. Living on an Island for important periods of his life led to an instinct to search for available materials, to forage, to respond creatively to the environment and the resources at hand. Pat grew up fishing with elders in a time when there were still workboats with sail. Seeing the world from the sea, the dawns, sunsets and starry skies developed an awareness of light and movement that is captured in his work.
Pat creates works of art using materials he finds on the shore – timber and stones for sculptures, sea glass and pieces of ceramic as elements in paintings. His creative process begins wild and unplanned, but continues until there is a settled energy, safe and calm, balanced and pleasing. Underneath his art lies a lifetime of making sense of things, of the human condition, of human behaviour.
Pat O’Connor studied Science, Fine Arts, Industrial Design and Psychotherapy. He worked as a psychotherapist for over 30 years in Cork and Kerry. Since 2020 he lives in Kinvara with his family. He is a member of Kinvara Area Visual Artists. He exhibited at St. John’s Theatre and Art Centre Listowel (solo exhibition), KAVA Kinvara (solo and group), Buoys and Gulls, Bundoran (solo), Fox’s Kinvara (solo), Oughterard Courthouse (group), Sherkin Island Community Centre (group).
Artist’s Statement
“I am very honoured and excited to be a part of the renowned Mountshannon Arts Festival. Visitors to Mountshannon are invited to discover around 50 of my sculptures placed around the village. Find them, have a good look at them, feel your response. Experience how the energy, the exaggerated human expressions of seemingly cold stone affect you.
Instagram: @patoconnorcreative
Facebook: patoconnorcreative
-manual wheelchair access to W.C.
Mountshannon Arts Festival
The Magic Owl Competition!
When? June Weekend during the Mountshannon Arts Festival (30 May - 3 June 2024)
Where? Throughout Mountshannon
How to Participate:
Take a stroll around Mountshannon during the festival weekend.
Discover dozens of Pat O'Connor's captivating sculptures placed around the town. Some have numbers attached to them (1-5).
Gather your family, friends, or partner and take selfies in front of sculptures numbered 1 to 5.
Head to the Welcome Centre at the entrance to Aistear Park.
Show your five photos at the Welcome Centre (until 2 pm on Monday, 3rd of June) and leave your name and contact number to enter the competition. The draw will take place at 2.30 pm on Monday, 3rd of June.
Prize: The stunning "Magic Owl of Mountshannon" stone sculpture by Pat O'Connor.
The Magic Owl of Mountshannon
In the very East of Ireland's County Clare, nestled alongside the tranquil shores of the majestic Lough Derg, lies the quaint town of Mountshannon. This picturesque village is home to a mystical being, known far and wide as the Magic Owl of Mountshannon. Legend has it that the Magic Owl has quietly watched over the town for centuries, her ancient wisdom surpassing that of any mortal. With feathers as soft as moonlight and eyes that gleam with the knowledge of ages, she roosts high atop the old towering trees of the town.
Though rarely seen by human eyes, the townsfolk of Mountshannon often feel her presence in the whispering winds that dance through the dark streets at night. It is said that she watches over the town, protecting it from harm and guiding those who seek her counsel. Every now and then, a lucky few catch a glimpse of her majestic form as she glides silently through the darkness, her wings spanning wide against the starlit sky. Those who have encountered her speak of her gentle nature, her soothing voice filled with the wisdom of the ages.
And so, the legend of the Magic Owl of Mountshannon lives on, her gentle hoots echoing through the night as a reminder of the magic that dwells within the heart of the town. For as long as she watched over them, the people of Mountshannon knew that they were blessed by the presence of a truly remarkable creature - one whose wisdom would endure for generations to come.