JOEY THE LURCHER CAME FROM THE KWWSPCA AND WAS PEPR'S BEST FRIEND.
Joey the Lurcher would offer PepR a stick, a tug-of-war would ensue with Joey winning and doing a lap of honour around the garden, stick held high!
Tuesday
Reminding me of characters of old
Of folks and dogs and friends who are no longer
Of laughter, tears and hugs that warmed my soul
My garden sang a lullaby last Summer
It started in the heartwood of the tree
The wild flowers joined the grasses in the chorus
Of robins, wrens and dragonflies and bees
They sang with dandelions sending sunshine
And singing to the pearly rain-washed sky
The poppies danced and swayed in bright red scarlet
But no ladybird was there to sing her line
They sang how blackbirds queued for bathing water
Joined by a cheeky sparrow, or three
How starlings used to splash in all together
Now the birdbaths sitting still and calm and free
Next doors wild gardens home to teaspoon pink birds
A brand-new car park may be on the cards
For SUV’s and E cars and Tour busses
For wild things tarmac’s simply way too hard
They say wild things are moving towards the west coast
To find a home that’s safe, where they can be
But so too are so many folk and tourists
And there's no more meadows once you reach the sea
My gardens lullaby has helped me tune in
To lullabies of meadows, woods and fields
The oceans, lakes and streams and flowing rivers
Are singing farewell nocturns in the breeze
Umbrella pines of Rome are slowly dying
Their majesty is fading in full view
Infested by a tiny vicious army
Can we save these ancient souls of Rome?
They say that even small things make a difference
And maybe I can make a difference too
I’m listening to the songs from my garden
Where wild things nest, and live and rest and bloom
Chorus/End
Songs from flowers, grass and trees
Songs from insects, birds and bees
Songs my garden sings
Songs from oceans, hills and bogs
These are natures songs of love
Songs our wild world sings
Ozzie, the beautiful Colooney Whippet
Ozzy,
Colooney Whippet Testimonial; When
we commissioned Sheena to do a portrait of Ozzy, she insisted on spending time
with him to get to know him. We are so happy with the final outcome as
she has really captured the essence of his personality. It’s the Ozzy we
see sitting on the couch beside us every night. We also love the painting
on the coaster, cushion, greeting cards and key chain.
John and
Zul, Dublin
Young Bullock
I loved the curiosity shown by this young
bullock in Kilkenny.
At the great Feakle music festival a couple of
years ago there were cattle in the field adjacent to the Community Hall. They crowded in at the windows to listen to the music, jostling each other to get close and to look in.
Portraits of Ruairi and Regan
“Sheena visited our home and spent lovely time with our two red heads,
Ruari and Regan .She spent time with both of them in our home and yard to get
to know them and see their personalities. Through spending time with them she
really captured both of their individual manners and interactions.
It is truly amazing to see in drawings and the paintings our precious
girls come to life as we know them. We love everything she did. It was
difficult to decide which portrait to choose.
All really captured their personalities as we know them.”
Kevin and Chuck,
USA
A SPECIAL COMMISSION; Millie's Portrait
Testimonial; Millie
Our dog
died suddenly. It was a shock, she was such an amazing dog and a part of
the family for 12 years. We decided to commission a painting of Millie
for the family for Christmas. The wordscape Sheena advised us to do
helped us to think about the many facets of Millie’s personality. Sheena took
lots of time to hear stories about Millie and really got the portrait
right. The family’s reaction on Christmas Day was an emotional one, as it
was a surprise present. The painting of Millie now hangs in the living
room. Rather than an empty space we have a beautiful painting to remember
Millie in a positive way.
Alice and
Jeff, Co. Kildare
Huey, a beautiful Shetland Sheepdog
Portrait of Skoozie
Skoozie
Testimonial
“Have just experienced some work completed by Sheena for us and wow….she is an
incredible artist. thank you so much for sharing your terrific talent.”
J. Buckley, Co. Kildare
An engagement commission with links to Trinity College Dublin and a special wolfhound,
TESTIMONIAL
“When I commissioned Sheena to
paint a picture to give as an engagement gift for my daughter Sarah and her
fiancé Mark I had an idea, an emotion I was trying to portray.
After lengthy discussions,
emails and a meeting, Sheena understood what I wanted and put her brilliant
talent to work. I was absolutely delighted when I saw the finished painting, it
had so much more meaning than I could ever have imagined.
Sarah and Mark had met while
studying in Trinity College. Sheena did a beautiful painting of Trinity but
also of Sarah and Mark and Sarah’s beautiful Irish Wolfhound Ceili alongside
them walking from the arch towards the front gates. It was just perfect, and it
is now hanging very proudly over their fireplace.
Sheena also painted in gold, two
wedding bands entwined and after their marriage she will inscribe the dates in
the bands.
This is a precious gift that
they will always treasure.
Thank you so much Sheena for
your dedication and your attention to detail, for listening and for all your
hard work and for giving us a wonderful painting that will be in our family for
many many generations.”
P. Darcy, Co. Wicklow
engagement
commission,Trinity College Dublin,Wolfhound,
PORTRAIT OF A MUCH LOVED CAT
.jpg)
A gift for an MBA Graduate, Trinity College Dublin.
The colourful ball of wool is made of the letters 'M', 'B' and 'A'.
Sunday
TUCKMILL GALLERY ANNUAL EXHIBITION 2026
Silver Birch Grove, Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer and Autumn
Chinese inks on watercolour paper
I am delighted to have five paintings in this years Tuckmill Fine Art Exhibition, Moat Theatre, Naas on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November
Wednesday
Garden Lullaby Lyrics, Melody to follow
My garden sang a lullaby last Summer
Reminding me of characters of old
Of folk and dogs and friends who are no
longer
Of laughter, tears and hugs that warmed my
soul
My garden sang a lullaby last Summer
It started in the heartwood of the tree
The wild flowers joined the grasses in the
chorus
Of robins, wrens and dragonflies and bees
They sang with dandelions sending sunshine
And singing to the pearly rain-washed sky
The poppies danced and swayed in bright red
scarlet
But no ladybird was there to sing her line
They sang how blackbirds queued for bathing
water
Joined by a cheeky sparrow, or three
How starlings used to splash in all together
Now the birdbaths sitting still and calm and
free
Next doors wild gardens home to teaspoon pink
birds
A brand-new car park may be on the cards
For SUV’s and E cars and Tour busses
For wild things tarmac’s simply way too hard
They say wild things are moving towards the
west coast
To find a home that’s safe, where they can be
But so too are so many folk and tourists
There are no more meadows once you reach the
sea
My gardens lullaby has helped me tune in
To lullabies of meadows, woods and fields
The oceans, lakes and streams and flowing
rivers
Are singing farewell nocturns in the breeze
Umbrella pines of Rome are slowly dying
Their majesty is fading in full view
Infested by a tiny vicious army
Can we save these ancient souls of Rome?
They say that even small things make a
difference
And maybe I can make a difference too
I’m listening to the songs from my garden
Where wild things nest, and live and rest and
bloom
Songs from flowers, grass and trees
Songs from insects, birds and bees
Songs my garden sings
Songs from oceans, hills and bogs
These are natures songs of love
Songs our wild world sings
Monday
OWNING MY SHOWDOGS
A wise acquaintance at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre once told
me ‘Don’t hide your showdogs’. I asked
her what she meant. She said ‘I’m
talking about your portraits of animals’
She said ‘They bring joy and they pay your way.’
At that time, I felt it was considered ‘un professional’ or
would do damage to my ‘perceived’ reputation as a budding artist to advertise I
could capture the personality of animals on canvas. Different times, I know.
Another conversation yesterday speaking of sighthounds, their incredible awareness, connection, sense of humour… a handful and so worth it…
It brought back my own two, Joey and PepR, best
of pals to each other and to me for over 14 years.
I am grateful I have been able to create
a lasting memory on canvas of cherished lifetime friends and companions.
Thursday
40th Annual Tuckmill Exhibition at the Moat Club Naas this weekend
Chinese inks, 24 carat gold on silk on canves
40th Annual Tuckmill Exhibition at the Moat Club Naas this weekend, opening hours Saturday the 15th from 12:30pm to 5:30pm and Sunday the 16th from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Wednesday
Glorious Greyhounds
Double the trouble? NO. Twice the fun!
Friday
Song; Summer Patchwork Quilt
Patchwork Quilt Song & Lyrics by
Sheena Meagher
Feb 2025
My mother knit a patchwork
quilt one Summer
Embroidered all our names
on fields of purl
Each coloured patch a
memory of her laughter
And now she’s gone I’m
weaving my own quilt
Chorus
Quilt of laughter, quilt
so bright
For the days and for the
nights
So light and yet so strong
Quilt of comfort
Quilt so warm
Sure protection from the
storms
That’s my patchwork quilt
I’m weaving joyful yellows
whites and azures
With heartfelt greens and
deepest reds and blues
When I encounter murky
shades and ochres
I stitch them round with
clear and stronger hues
Sometimes a song, a place,
a tune or perfume
Will catch my heart, my
eyes, my thoughts, my soul
And I’m transported to
that patch of memory
Reliving moments that were
dear to me
My mother knit a patchwork
quilt one Summer
Embroidered all our names
on fields of purl
Each coloured patch a
memory of her laughter
And now she’s gone I’m
making my own quilt
Yes now she’s gone I’m
making my own quilt
*purl is the name of a stitch in knitting
Thursday
Portraits of Lola and Amber; Portraits of two dogs
Lola; a very loving and energetic lab, going a little grey,
aged 6, with a distinctive white blaze. Her portrait shows Lola looking like
she is laughing at something- and yet relaxed. Her coat is gleaming.
This portrait is one of a pair,
Amber is Lola’s companion. As a pair the portraits relate to each other, while giving each dog their own space.
Chinese inks on deep edged canvas.
Testimonial from their owner;
"I asked Sheena if she would do a painting of our
two lovely rescue dogs, Amber and Lola, as a present to celebrate my husband’s
birthday. I knew Sheena’s work and knew her love of dogs,
especially rascally rescue dogs, so was delighted when she agreed.
Sheena came over to the house when Noel was away to get
to know the dogs. The dogs were very excited at first with a new visitor,
especially one who was so fond of dogs herself. But they soon relaxed after
their initial welcoming ceremony and settled themselves next to each other on
the sofa in the sun room in their usual positions to see what would happen
next. Sheena took lots of photos of them there and then we all went outside for
a look round the garden and for Sheena to get a feel for where our dogs spend
most of their outside time.
From what she saw from the dogs and their relationship,
she suggested that two pictures would be best, with Amber and Lola looking at
each other. And rather than having them side by side on the sun room sofa, she
thought they would look better in an outside setting.
The resulting paintings are fantastic and we are
delighted with them. They really portray the dogs’ looks and expressions and
they have been much admired by visitors to the house. It is such a pity that
Amber and Lola cannot appreciate them too!
As well as the two paintings, Sheena also had printed for
us some note cards with the dogs’ pictures on them, so we can share them with
our family and friends. What a great idea!"
Sally McCaffrey
Honorary Secretary, KWWSPCA
Saturday
Surf Songs
A pal gave a friend and I a present of a surf lesson in Lahinch. Each time we tried to use the voucher something went wrong; the weather, an appointment, a …. Eventually it was ‘use it or lose it’ as I had to come home to Kildare so a date was set in stone. The class happened on the day Hurricane Ivan hit Liscannor Bay.
And so I wrote a song 'Surfing Hurricane Ivan in Liscannor Bay.' It described the surf lesson, pro surfers flooding in to surf Ailean’s under the Cliffs of Mohar, Aill Na Searrach, (Leap of the Foals), the journey from Naas to Clare, pit stops at Obama Plaza, Blakes Corner, Ennistymon, Clare, and, maybe one day succeeding at surfing.
I sang it
one night in Ennis at a singing session in the Copper Jug. Afterwards another singer asked me “Did you
write that song?” “Yes” “Will you write a positive surfing song? I’m a surfer and I’d love a positive song
about surfing.”
And so I wrote ’Surf’s My Love’, set to the beautiful melody, Sì Beag, Sì Mor by Turlough O Carolan, and Erica
Nicholas, the singer and surfer sang it at another session in Cnoc Na Gaoithe
in Tulla. It got 20K hits on FB. I recorded her singing ‘Surf’s My Love’ in
the Corner Stone in Lahinch, with Eoin O Neill playing bouzouki. It was released and I joined IMRO which led
to a song writing workshop with Buddy Mondlock and more….
Isn’t life is full of unexpected twists and turns?
Wednesday
Our Cosmic Path, FSJ Spirituality House, Spanish Point, Co. Clare
I was delighted to be invited to be part of the team creating the Cosmic Path which is to be found at Spirituality House, Spanish Point, Co. Clare. The project was conceived by director Nóirin Lynch and Linda Hebenstreit to help explain the history of our planet over thirteen point seven billion years in fourteen mosaic tiles which are set in a path cut into the grasses outside Spirituality House.
Designed by Gabrielle Qwynn, the mosaics were created by mosaic artist Gabrielle O Brien with the help of Linda, Shona Blake and I. Used to working ‘sola’ as a visual artist, I loved being part of a collaborative team under the direction of Gabrielle O B (Gabi). It was a steep learning curve for me, intense work on hot, sunny summers days in Gabrielle’s studio, lots of laughter. I loved the teamwork, the power of the mosaic, the absolute attention to detail, finding the exact piece, shape, colour, the many synchronicities that occurred. I also discovered my own limitations- the power-driven shape-cutting saws and sanders, essential; tools for mosaic designs of this nature were out of my comfort zone. Grouting day, on site at Spanish Point with fourteen more participants and photographer was a wonderful experience.
The ‘full spectrum’ approach set out by Nóirin and adopted from the outset by all involved was
educational, ecological, with beautiful, inspirational designs and implemented with care.
I found the whole experience truly go hiontach ar fad.
Mosaic Number 14 Looking Out -Choosing A Bright Future
*Photographs reproduced with permission from Spirituality House, Spanish Point
Tuesday
Dublin City Liffey Swim
But no, it was the Jones Engineering Dublin City Liffey Swim in action.
The atmosphere and energy were electric.
I followed the swimmers up river, stopping to experience the thrill as they emerged from under bridges. The colour, atmosphere and sense of place must have stayed with me as months later at the Greywood Arts Centre Residence the first painting off the brush was my memory of The Liffey Swim. It depicts a swimmer emerging from under the James Joyce Bridge, heading towards Mellows Bridge with several swimmers ahead and framed by the city quays and iconic City of Dublin skyline.
The finished painting measures
60x30cm, is executed in Chinese inks on canvas, and framed by Inniscarra Framing. It is for sale through the Tuckmill Gallery tel 045879761
Monday
Creating a reminder of truly wild Nature
Some time ago, 5.30 am, Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, a family of deer wandered through the top garden.... I wanted to create something that would remind myself and others of the magical joy and beauty I feel when in the presence of nature. I simply placed my stag on a scattering of tumbled stones, creating a wild place within my indoor living space
A Heart of Stones, Seafield Beach, near Quilty, Co. Clare
Sunday
Sunday Wink goes to the term 'Pub pub'
My 'Sunday Wink' goes to the term 'Pub pub', replacing that awful sounding term 'Wet pub'. (Nothing could be further from snug, welcoming pubs). I'm not so keen on the term 'Gastro pub' either - the term is too like gastric troubles than gastronomy in my mind.
I heard the 'pub pub' last week on radio - and hope it catches on.
Saturday
Silver Birch Visitors
Title; Silver Birch Visitors
Materials; Chinese inks on silk, bonded to painted canvas
Size; 42 x 30 cm There is a small stand of Silver Birch trees outside the house. One morning, as I was standing below a small flock/ family of birds arrived, flitting from branch to branch, harvesting and dning as they went.
Thursday
‘Wild Irish Hare, Spring Forward’
Irish Hare The hare is a beautiful creature, featuring in mythology and in folklore. Sightings at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig gave rise to the painting. A walk in Clare inspired the setting. A few years ago I was walking in the Burren near Mullaghmore. I approached what I thought was a carpet of lilac/blue flowers in the limestone and grasses. . . As I drew near the 'carpet' took off- hundreds of tiny moths in a cloud of pale blue. A few yards away another gathering of pale pink covering the ground erupted into flight.
Size; 50 x 40 cm
Contact Tuckmill Gallery, Naas
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