Projects

On a Turning Wing by Paddy Bushe, Dedalus Press

Irish Times Poetry Book of the Year 2017. Catriona O'Connor's artwork features on the cover of poet Paddy Bushe’s award-winning collection of poems.

Dedalus Press presents the work as one "that explores, among other things, the balance between creative freedom and the artist’s responsibility to engage. On a Turning Wing contains some of Bushe’s finest sketches of the natural world, as well as touching lyrics on the birth of a grandchild and the joy and consolation of companionship and love."

The publication can be ordered online at Dedalus Press. It was launched on 1st May 2016 at Strokestown International Poetry Festival and Paddy Bushe read from 'On a Turning Wing' on May 2 as part of Feile na Bealtaine Music & Arts Festival.

The Stony Thursday Book Vol. 12

Cover art for the Autumn 2013 Collection of Contemporary Poetry edited by Paddy Bushe and published by the Arts Office of Limerick City and County Council.

See images from the book launch by photographer Sean Curtin.

Kildare Artist Notebook Project

The Kildare Artist Notebook project was established by Kildare County Council Arts Service in 2011. Artists in all genres and at all stages of their career were invited to take an A5 moleskine notebook, to use it as they wished and to return it, to become part of a permanent touring collection. See additional images of her notebook and her artist's statement for this project.

Previous Dedalus Press Book Cover Illustrations

Dedaluspress.com has used Catriona's paintings for the following book covers:

  • To Ring in Silence. New and selected poems by Paddy Bushe, 2008
  • The Erratic Behaviour of Tides by Catherine Duffy, 1998
  • To Make the Stone Sing. Poems by Paddy Bushe. Paintings by Catriona O’ Connor, 1996
  • The Empty Quarter. Selected poems by Gerry Murphy, 1995
  • Lucifer with Angels by Evangeline Paterson, 1994
  • Digging Towards the Light by Paddy Bushe, 1994
  • A Glance Will Tell You and a Dream Confirm by Tom MacIntyre, 1994
  • Farewell and Fall by Eddy Van Vliet, 1994

Fossa & Aghadoe: Our History and Heritage

Contributed a section to this 2007 publication edited by Jim Larner and produced by the Fossa Historical Society about the O'Connor family who moved to Fossa, Killarney in 1909. Catriona re-traced her memories of the Schools Inspector and writer Joseph O'Connor (her grandfather) and his family. His writings have been immortalised in The Norwayman (1949) and Hostage to Fortune (1951).

Tides - La Collana dei Numeri 145

7 poems by Paddy Bushe and 7 Indian ink studies by Catriona O’Connor comprised the 2007 publication 'Tides' which was included in a series of publications directed by painter Claudio Granaroli and edited by Signum Edizioni d’Arte Milan.

Feasta

Feasta is an Irish-language literary magazine, established by Conradh na Gaeilge via the publishing company Clódhanna Teoranta in 1948, and edited today by Padraig Mac Fhearghusa. The painting 'Standing Stones - Markings' appeared on the cover of Feasta's March issue in 2006. The painter has also provided illustrations for Feasta in Feb and May in 2001 and June 2006.

Listowel Writers Week

Exhibition in collaboration with book launch of 'To Make The Stone Sing' opened by Maire Mac an tSaoi in St John's Art Centre, Listowel, 1995

Artist in Residence

The Arts Council funded Artist in Residence programme saw Catriona set up a studio in St Patrick's Comprehensive School, Shannon from 1987 to 1988. The aim of the programme was to encourage artistic collaboration between the professional artist and the school's students and staff. Just as the students enjoyed having a studio where they could explore paint and colour in a different light, the artist also gained significantly from the experience of working with new painters - especially with the students who hadn't engaged with the school's mainstream arts programme.

Catriona was Clare County Artist in Residence for the 400 year anniversary of the Spanish Armada in 1988 which was marked with the attendance of the Spanish ambassador to Ireland José Antonio de Yturriaga in Ennis Library, Co.Clare

The English Translation of Peig Sayers

First published in English in 1973, the English translation of the biography of Peig Sayers (1873-1958) was a secondary school student's staple to facilitate the reading of the original book in Irish which was on the school curriculum until 1999.

"Translated into English by Bryan MacMahon, this is the autobiography of Peig Sayers, that remarkable woman who lived on the Great Blasket Island for forty years. This great classic of modern Gaelic literature unfolds a simple tale of Island life told with sensitivity by this unique woman who was always in touch with the forces of nature, the sea and the sky. Beautifully illustrated by the Kerry Artist Catriona O’Connor, this outstanding book should always remain on the reading list for schools." Kathleen Browne, Kerry County Library (Credit: ClareLibrary.ie)

Pictured is one of the illustrations from the book, of Peig's husband, Pádraig Ó Guithín with their son.