Renowned artist Jacinta launches stunning exhibition of paintings
Catherine Callaghan TD officially opened the Jacinta Crowley-Long exhibition in the Walled Garden at Altamont Gardens Photos: michaelorourkephotography.ie
STUNNING surrounds, live music and great company proved the perfect backdrop to the launch of a superb new exhibition by renowned artist Jacinta Crowley-Long recently.
The exhibition, entitled , was launched at the Walled Garden at Altamont Plant Sales as part of Carlow Arts Festival 2025.
The event was opened by deputy Catherine Callaghan who, along with performing the honours, also had the special task of unveiling a wonderful new painting by Jacinta. The striking portrait features Lecky Watson, winner of the Brown Advisory Novices Chase Grade 1 at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The Cheltenham champion is, of course, named after the previous owners of Altamont House, the Lecky Watson family, so the painting has special meaning and relevance to the wonderful Altamont.
“The atmosphere was great for the launch. We’d live music and nibbles and it all worked wonderfully well,” said Alex Lyle of Altamont Plant Sales.
“We were delighted to have our local TD Catherine Callaghan to unveil the painting of Lecky Watson standing outside Altamont House and to have people come along and enjoy the evening,” he added.
Jacinta Crowley-Long is known as one of Ireland’s foremost contemporary canine and equestrian artists. She also has an international reputation and following, exhibiting not only in Ireland but throughout Britain, mainland Europe and the USA.
Jacinta has exhibited at each Carlow Arts Festival week since1991and was delighted to return to Carlow Arts Festival 2025, having once again been invited by Robert Miller of Altamont Plant Sales to showcase her work in the Corona North Room, part of the magical walled garden at Altamont.
Jacinta is no stranger to Altamont and facilitates one-day masterclasses en plein air in the garden throughout the year, which are extremely popular and attract artists from all over the country and abroad.
Jacinta is inspired by the countryside surrounding her rectory home, not far from Altamont, and many of the oil paintings in this exhibition are moments caught in time and placed freshly on the canvas with a wonderful use of colour and tone, creating a powerful illusion of space, light and atmosphere.
She has always had a strong affinity to the canine and equestrian spirit. A considerable part of her commissioned work is visiting trainers’ yards capturing the stars of the turf for her numerous well-known clients in the horsey world.
The exhibition continues at Altamont in the Corona North Room.
