The true home of Irish Whiskey
“Earlier this year I was privileged to take part in a special painting exhibition in the historical Tourin House, the home of Irish Whiskey. Our brief was to create paintings of the beautiful surrounding estate gardens. The core of this group show comprised of the artists who presented “Kilmacurragh through the Artists’ Eyes”, a celebrated exhibition in the National Botanical Gardens, Dublin, 2014.” – Rod Coyne.
During a short residency on the estate I had the chance to put together a small collection of pictures for the show. I had a fantastic few days painting in the Tourin Estate, it’s a compelling blend of history and nature and an artist’s delight. But first I needed to meet my hosts.
The three sisters, Kristin, Andrea and Tara, are the ninth generation direct descendants of John Jameson, whose name is synonymous with Irish whiskey. I love this photo taken for an earlier Irish Times article. The Jameson sisters wade through daffodils in front of Tourin House.
A river of Irish Whiskey
Roses, nymphs and lawns rolling down to the River Blackwater at the back of Tourin House. Where ever I looked I was struck by another fantastic view. Overawed as I was it was hard to decide where to start painting. When in doubt head for the water – so I took myself down to the riverbank to make a start.
Don’t fence me in!
Much later, feeling sufficiently windswept and chilled I needed somewhere to re-heat my bones. Entering the walled garden is like stepping back in time.
They locked me into the walled garden and wouldn’t let me out untill I completed a painting 
(no great hardship). So I got to work in amidst of a riot of colour. There was something very exciting about painting in the walled garden with rare and mad colours tumbling across my palette.
Towering Mountains
The Knockmealdown Mountains loom large and majestic on the horizon. As moved around the estate they continually caught my eye and I knew it was only a question of time till I would have to point my easel in that direction…
The Big Night
What a fantastic night, what a fantastic show. A big, big thank you to the wonderful Jameson sisters who facilitate and support art at every turn. We artists are always affirmed by their vote of confidence.
It was so fantastic to meet all the other artists and see what they had painted in the surrounding I had gotten to know so well. But the biggest thrill was to see my paintings in the hanging auspicious rooms of the true home of Irish Whiskey, Tourin House.
Thanks for reading – Rod Coyne.