A new exhibition of paintings by Hugh Barr is opening on 18 August 2026 in the Courtyard Gallery at Turlough Park.

Boats and Barns explores the deep connections between memory, craft, and the built environment.

Drawing on personal experience, Hugh reflects on time spent at sea as a crew member on a Galway hooker and on brief service with the RNLI, experiences that fostered a lasting appreciation for maritime tradition and the skill of boat-building.

The distinctive form of the Galway hooker has become for Hugh both subject and inspiration.

Alongside these works are those shaped by childhood memories of rural life, particularly the familiarity of farm buildings and hay barns.

Their simple forms and construction evoke a sense of place and continuity.

Boats and Barns continues until 18 October 2026 at the Courtyard Gallery in Turlough Park. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.