About the Painting
The River Maine originates at Tobermaing and winds its way westward, passing through the towns of Castleisland, Currans, and Castlemaine before flowing past the ancient Ardcanaght Stones and into Castlemaine Harbour. Historically, the river marked the boundary of the Kingdom of Desmond—its southern banks ruled by the Gaelic MacCarthys and its northern banks by the Norman Earls of Desmond. A stone bridge at Castlemaine once housed a castle that stood as a sentinel over this historic divide.This piece is inspired by a photograph I captured during one of my many sailing trips in my traditional wooden dinghy. Launching from Laghtacallow Pier in Keel, I navigated upstream toward Castlemaine Pier before making my return journey, immersed in the river’s rich history and tranquil beauty.
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