About
Maeve McCarthy is a Dún Laoghaire-born, Dublin-based artist whose work explores memory, place, and the passage of time. She mainly works in painting and drawing. She is known for her small-scale rural landscapes and narrative scenes inspired by personal and family history. Recently, she has started making larger paintings of gardens from memory, based on earlier charcoal sketches. These new works explore mood, atmosphere, and sensory memory.
McCarthy graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 1987 and has exhibited in Ireland and internationally. Her work is held in public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Ireland. She is a member of the RHA (Royal Hibernian Academy) and is represented by the Molesworth Gallery, Dublin.
Education
1987 Fine Art Painting, NCAD,
Solo Exhibitions
2025 Returning/Heritage Dlr Lexicon Municipal Gallery
2006 - 2024 Molesworth Gallery, Dublin (Biennial)
2016 The Return, RHA Ashford Gallery, Dublin
2014 Catherine Hammond Gallery, West Cork,
2002 Frederick Gallery, Dublin
1998 Jo Rain Gallery, Dublin, (Kevin Kavanagh)
Commissions and Group Exhibitions (Selected)
2004-2025 Annual Exhibition, RHA, Dublin
2023 It Took a Century: Women Artists and the RHA, National Gallery of Ireland
Droichead Arts Centre - Group drawing exhibition
RHA West, Ballina Civic offices, Co Mayo
RHA Ballinglen Fellows, Ballinglen Arts Centre, Ballycastle, Co Mayo
2017 J. Cacciola Gallery, NJ
2016 Catherine Hammond Gallery, West Cork
2012 Mullan Gallery, Belfast
2010 Mullan Gallery, Belfast
2005 BP Portrait Award Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London
Portrait of Maeve Binchy, National Gallery of Ireland
2004 BP Portrait Award Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London
2000 Annual Exhibition, RHA, Dublin
1999 Annual Exhibition, RHA, Dublin
National Portrait Awards, Arnotts, Dublin
1997 BP Portrait Award Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London
1995 Annual Exhibition, RHA, Dublin
National Portrait Awards, Arnotts, Dublin
1987 Irish Graduates at The Festival Interceltique, Lorient, France
1986 EV&A, Limerick City Art Gallery
1985 National Portrait Awards, Arnotts, Dublin
Residencies
Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig
Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Co. Mayo
Cill Rialaig, Co. Kerry
Burren School of Art, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
RHA Academy studios, Dublin
Awards
2017 ESB Keating Award for an outstanding art work, RHA Annual exhibition
2006 Irish - US Council for Commerce & Industry Portrait prize, RHA
1995 & 2004 The Don Niccolo D’Ardia Carraciolo Award, RHA
1995 Irish Arts Council travel grant to Colorado, USA
Bibliography
Irish Arts Review, Artist interview with Aidan Dunne. Autumn edition 2024
Irish Arts Review “Burgundy Light” Cristín Leach. November 20, 2020
Irish Arts Review “No Detour ahead” Brian Fallon. Vol 32, No 1, 2015
500 Portraits celebrating 25 years of the BP Portrait Awards, NPG London 2011
BP Portrait Award catalogues, National Portrait Gallery, London,1997,2004,2005
Dictionary of Living Irish Artists, Robert O’Byrne, Plurabelle Publishing 2010
Irish Arts Review RHA Award winners Vol 22- 2/ Maeve Binchy portrait, Vol 22-4
Selected Collections
National Gallery of Ireland
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council
National Self Portrait Collection, Limerick
OPW
Royal Dublin Society,
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Trinity College
Maeve is a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy, RHA