The Inspector of Drains
The artwork for this beautiful piece inspired by historical figure Percy French was originally painted by Jackie as part of the Turbet Island Dreamscape Art Trail 2020. It is limited to 10 editions only. Each edition is however slightly unique because of its beautiful hand embroidered detail. This is the 3rd edition of 10 and is 70x70cm in size
“This textile piece is hand embroidered with various vintage yarns (including Irish wool) in my Cavan studio by either myself or a member of my small team.”
Frame: the textile artwork comes framed in a beautiful pointed oval oak veneer fram, which is designed by myself and made by local woodworkers MFM.
Shipping: Enjoy free shipping within Ireland, international shipping will be calculated at the checkout
Size: 70 x 70cm
The artwork for this beautiful piece inspired by historical figure Percy French was originally painted by Jackie as part of the Turbet Island Dreamscape Art Trail 2020. It is limited to 10 editions only. Each edition is however slightly unique because of its beautiful hand embroidered detail. This is the 3rd edition of 10 and is 70x70cm in size
“This textile piece is hand embroidered with various vintage yarns (including Irish wool) in my Cavan studio by either myself or a member of my small team.”
Frame: the textile artwork comes framed in a beautiful pointed oval oak veneer fram, which is designed by myself and made by local woodworkers MFM.
Shipping: Enjoy free shipping within Ireland, international shipping will be calculated at the checkout
Size: 70 x 70cm
The artwork for this beautiful piece inspired by historical figure Percy French was originally painted by Jackie as part of the Turbet Island Dreamscape Art Trail 2020. It is limited to 10 editions only. Each edition is however slightly unique because of its beautiful hand embroidered detail. This is the 3rd edition of 10 and is 70x70cm in size
“This textile piece is hand embroidered with various vintage yarns (including Irish wool) in my Cavan studio by either myself or a member of my small team.”
Frame: the textile artwork comes framed in a beautiful pointed oval oak veneer fram, which is designed by myself and made by local woodworkers MFM.
Shipping: Enjoy free shipping within Ireland, international shipping will be calculated at the checkout
Size: 70 x 70cm
William Percy French (1 May 1854 – 24 January 1920) was one of Ireland's foremost songwriters and entertainers in his day. French was born at Cloonyquin House, near Tulsk, County Roscommon, the son of an Anglo-Irish landlord. He was the third child of nine. He graduated from TCD as a civil engineer in 1881 and joined the Board of Works in County Cavan as an "Inspector of Drains”. From 1881 to 1884 he worked in Belturbet inspecting farm drains. He lived in a little house here on Mill Hill, his favourite mode of transport to get around was his bicycle. It is said that he wrote his best songs during this period his most famous song about Cavan is of course ‘Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff’ . The lyrics of this song carry symbolism about a country that was going through a big change (see my Garden of Eden Dreamscape)
In more recent times he has become recognised for his watercolour paintings, he was a prolific painter of landscape watercolours. When living in Belturbet he was fond of cycling to Castle Saunderson to paint the gardens close to the castle. Apparently, all the doors in his little house were covered in landscape paintings. The house still stands on Mill Hill and now belongs to Ms Lily McGinley. Growing and milling flax in this area was big business at this time. I imagine Percy observing the big mills, the blue flax flowers and the local birds on his daily commute along the River Erne.
Information taken from George E. Morrissey’s book, Belturbet, A Chequered History
This print is part of my 2020 Dreamscapes collection which was created for the wonderful Turbet Island Dreamscape Trail in Belturbet, Co Cavan.
What is a dreamscape?
In the dictionary the word dreamscape means “A landscape or scene with the strangeness or mystery characteristic of dreams.”
Each print in this series of Dreamscape has a beautiful story to tell. I created each in response to the landscape and extensive historical and mythological research of the local land. The unique story comes with the print and gives an extra special depth of meaning. It makes a unique gift for anyone interested in folklore or nature.
The Story for this piece comes printed on a scroll with the piece:
