The Art Hand

06/06/2026

If you fancy an injection of colour in your life 🌸💜🌸Miranda is creating for the weekend 🎨🖼🎨 Gallery is open from 12pm to 6pm 🖼 In the heart of The Copper Coast 🌊 X42PY92 🌊

06/06/2026

Congratulations to our latest Talamh Nua graduate! 👩‍🎓

Congratulations to Órla Heussaff for completing an intensive artist residency with us. She walked, she cycled, she explored, she discovered, she photographed, she sketched, she painted, she researched, she pondered, she discussed, she revealed and she emerged! Along the way she encountered periiwinkles, limpets, sea anemone, tadpoles, seaweed, flowers, a kestrel, dogs, cats, horses, our pet lambs and a few humans too! 

Orla was awarded a bursary from Waterford Arts Office at the Old Market House Arts Centre to take part in the Talamh Nua residency. Thanks to Creative Waterford and CreativeIrl for supporting this new facility. Applications are still open on www.Talamh.org

We really enjoyed brainstorming with Órla about what the future might hold as she finds her path between Science and Art. Waterford City and County Council 🙏

06/06/2026

The Art Hand is a unique art studio and gallery run by artists Sean and Miranda Corcoran. Perched on the cliffs in the heart of the Copper Coast and overlooking the Celtic Sea, the gallery draws inspiration from the stunning natural landscape that surrounds it.

Miranda’s work is inspired by the wildflowers that flourish along the Copper Coast. She incorporates these natural elements into her creations in a vibrant and distinctive way. While primarily known as a glass painter, she has recently returned to acrylics on canvas, producing colourful floral paintings filled with her favourite bright hues. Her artwork brings warmth and joy, even on the dullest of days.

Sean is an environmental artist renowned for creating large-scale artworks on the beaches of the Copper Coast. He has also worked on major community projects, including the celebrated Crockery Mountain in Dungarvan. This impressive mosaic, made from old and broken crockery, was lovingly assembled with the help of 150 volunteers and remains a cherished local landmark.

In addition to her artwork, Miranda hosts painting experiences and a popular Friday Art Club, where participants can explore a variety of artistic mediums and creative projects. By keeping group sizes small, she ensures that everyone receives plenty of individual attention. These sessions take place in the welcoming surroundings of The Art Hand Gallery. More recently Miranda has undertaken larger teambuilding events in the fabulous Enginehouse bar and restaurant in the local village of Bunmahon.

The gallery itself is filled with vibrant paintings, alongside Sean’s calming Copper Coast sand art prints. Visitors will also find a range of unique gifts, including light catchers, mugs, and greeting cards, with prices starting from just €4. Every item is exclusive to The Art Hand, the original and only art gallery on the Copper Coast.

Whether you are searching for a special gift or a memorable piece for your own home, The Art Hand is well worth a visit. It offers something truly different, and you are sure to leave inspired.

The gallery is open daily from 12pm to 6pm and is also available by appointment. To arrange a visit or if you would like more information on experiences, workshops or commissions call or send a WhatsApp message to 087 839 3332.

Eircode: X42 PY92

01/06/2026

On Friday last Miranda had her largest canvas painting workshop to date 😍 What a fabulous experience it turned out to be, full of friendship, giggles and pride 😍 A very well deserved treat for a group of hard working people. We all need to take a little more time for ourselves and no better way than to do something creative. The Art Hand is really excited to have partnered up with the fabulous bar and restaurant in Bunmahon Village on The Copper Coast. The newly decorated function room is a Light filled perfect space for creating in. And we were the very first event to be held there 😍 Miranda Corcoran created a stunning still life display of plants, tulips and native wildflowers from our garden, she then guided everyone through the process of creating their own unique creation. To follow the workshop a delicious lunch was served, as everyone was very hungry by the end 😀 A massive Thank you to Mags, Johnny, Jack and Sorcha of . Also a very special Thank you to Alannah O'Sullivan for all your help from the prepping to the tidying up 😍

We are delighted to have a beautiful space so close to us that gives us the space to have groups of up to 30 participants for a relaxing, fun filled experience 🌸

01/06/2026

The current Talamh Nua artist in residence…

Delighted to reveal that Órla Heussaff is the current Talamh Nua artist in residence, courtesy of a bursary from Waterford Arts at the Old Market House Arts Centre, Waterford City and County Council.

She is a qualified zoologist and is now merging her creative skills with her experience in biology and environmental science. She has been drawing animals and nature prolifically since the age of two! She lives in Dungarvan.

She will be exploring the area and researching, photographing and sketching the flora and fauna she encounters along the way. Even more importantly, she will be searching for clarity and direction in her work ahead.

If you would like to meet Órla, please call along to The Art Hand on Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM. She will be sharing her experience on the residency in an informal setting over a cuppa.

While CreativeIrl are the main funders of this new facility we are happy to collaborate with other creative and environmental organisations to offer more opportunities to eligible creatives worldwide. Full details on our website www.talamh.org

Wishing Órla the very best with her residency.

29/05/2026

Terra Marique Potens. I created this temporary Sand Art Memorial to Grace O’Malley on Silver Strand in Dugort on Achill Island, County Mayo. It was carved into the soggy sand with a hand drawn plough just as the tide dropped and the sun set behind Sliabh Mór. It is part of a series of artworks I created on the island during my artist-in-residency with the Great O'Malley Festival, thanks to Circus250, The The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Arts Office and Mayo County Council.

“Terra Marique Potens” is latin motto carved into the O'Malley tomb at the Cistercian Abbey on Clare Island meaning "Powerful by Land and Sea". This is rumoured to be the burial site of the Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley, although there is no clear evidence of this. The tomb also features a carved boar, ship, longbow and horse.

I had difficulties throughout my week-long stay capturing the essence of Grace including a sand art portrait that was hampered by a sandstorm! I was beginning to believe that the elusive Grace O'Malley didn't want to be captured! So in the end, on the final night, I was thankful to be able to create this tribute.

The dropping tide and fading light determined that I only had 90 minutes to create the artwork despite spending most of the day planning it. Since there are no records of her actual funeral, I imagined that perhaps she decided to have a ceremony at sea. So the design I have created is an abstract representation of a funeral pyre, a ship set on fire as a fiery farewell. I also like the idea that her flowing hair is represented in these flames. Since nobody actually knows what she looked like her anonymity remains intact in this depiction.

Grace O'Malley was a real person who lived a remarkable life, 500 years ago. She was bold, courageous and determined. I hope that when it comes time for her story to be told globally that she is represented in a genuine and unclichéd way. There are already enough pirate stereotypes in movies!

Thanks so much to all the festival crew and to all to people I encountered throughout the week. Achill is immense, magical and untameable. I’ll be back! Music in this film is Kayak, The Grey Room, Density & Time.