Irish Rock Art

09/03/2026

three rock art events in this year's festival
https://events.humanitix.com/skellig-coast-dark-sky-festival-2026

🌙 Rock Art by Night

Experience ancient history with Aoibheann Lambe on a guided night-time visit to a nearby rock art site. Departing from Ionad na Dromoda in small groups, you’ll discover remarkable carvings in a truly special setting.

📍 Ionad na Dromoda, Dromid
📅 20 March
🕙 22:00
🎟 Weekend Ticket Holders ONLY
⚠️ Limited spaces available

Weather dependent, please dress warmly and wear suitable footwear.



A special thank you to all our sponsors for making this event possible. ✨

05/01/2026

Stunning images! An amazing Scottish site - the light in these shots is spectacular. Access is permitted and the livestock is prevented from trampling on the carvings by railings - not as ideal as open ground but quite unobtrusive except when, depending on the angle of the sun, the railings cast shadows on the rock surfaces

31/12/2025

what a site/sight!

19/11/2025

11/10/2025

Dublin Castle Artistic Islands exhibition runs until 22 March 2026. There is a rock art/petroglyph component to this show - which is wonderful to have petroglyphs featured in such an important exhibition at such a prestigious OPW venue. A very exciting line-up of talks coming up in the Spring (watch this space). Barbara Paca OBE PhD conceived and curated the exhibition - the program is beautiful - her essay on petroglyphs includes an account of how a local farmer (whom I refer to as 'the nicest man in Ireland') introduced Barbara to rock art (and then to me) - Eugene O'Sullivan (last shot), an eloquent Kerry man who has travelled widely and is very knowledgeable about local myths and folklore, also told Barbara about rock art and! introduced her to the wonderful work of Kerry artist Maria Simmonds-Gooding (aunt of Manchán Magan - He is everywhere. What a spirit.)

10/10/2025

interesting example of experimental archaeology

01/10/2025

Stunning exhibition of work by artists Frank Walter and Kerry-based artist
Maria Simonds-Gooding
- the show, conceived and curated by Paca, is open now and runs until March 2026. Barbara and I took Maria to see some rock art at Aghacarrible - Maria immediately noted the interaction of the carvings with the natural surface and how the compositions were framed and divided by natural features. Her work is both epic and quiet - her representations of archaeological sites breath-taking.
The cushion in the last shot were made by a friend of Maria's - a wonderfully talented traveller with no formal training, she created exquisite outfits for Maria. The black fabric was repurposed nuns' habits!
Exhibition title: Artistic Islands
Location: Coach House, Dublin Castle
Dates 29 September 2025 – 22 March 2026
Opening Times: Opening hours: 10.00 – 17.00
(Closed for lunch 13.15 – 13.45)
Admission: Free
Artistic Islands, The Art of Frank Walter and Maria Simonds-Gooding curated by Barbara Paca Ph.D., O.B.E. at the Coach House Gallery in Dublin Castle, from 29 September 2025 to 22 March 2026.
Artists:
Maria Simonds-Gooding (b. 1939), Micheál Ó Gaoithín (1904-1974), Frank Walter of Antigua (1926-2009)

30/09/2025

Irish Rock Art/Petroglyphs also feature as part of this exhibition! In Dublin Castle!

EXHIBITION: ARTISTIC ISLANDS

The Office of Public Works (OPW) announces Artistic Islands, running at Dublin Castle's Coach House Gallery from 29th September 2025 - 22nd March 2026. The exhibition explores the creative legacies of Ireland and its diaspora through the work of Irish artist Maria Simonds-Gooding and Antiguan polymath Frank Walter.

Simonds-Gooding, long inspired by the Blasket Islands, captures Ireland's ancient heritage across diverse media. Walter, deeply rooted in Antigua's cultural history, created an expansive body of work spanning painting, sculpture, music and writing. His practice draws on traditions such as seed work, an art form preserved today by Antiguan women, featured here alongside his paintings.

Together, their work reflects how island landscapes inspire enduring artistic expression across cultures.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience the Artistic Islands exhibition at Dublin Castle!

🔷Location: The Coach House Gallery, Dublin Castle
🔷Duration: 29th September, 2025 - 22nd March, 2026
🔷Admission: FREE
🔷Coach House opening hours: 10 am - 5 pm daily

20/08/2025

Archaeology Festival 'the Other World' coming up 24-27 October.

Interested in a tour? Email us with your travel dates, number of people and we will get back to you quickly! You might join a tour that is already planned and we are also more than happy to arrange a tour for you.