It’s 25 years since Áras Éanna Arts Centre opened on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands.

From modest beginnings, it has grown into a space that’s recognised for hosting exhibitions, concerts, performance events and artists’ residencies – attracting visual artists, singers and writers from Ireland and further afield.

Áras Éanna Celebrating 25 Years of Visual Art, its latest show, is a diverse exhibition featuring work from artists who have shaped – and been influenced by – the centre over the last quarter-century.

Running until the end of September, it includes painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture and photography from artists based on Inis Oírr, elsewhere in Ireland and as far afield as New York, Germany and Switzerland.

Pieces from the centre’s own collection are being exhibited alongside pieces from invited artists, and participants have provided short texts, reflecting on how their residencies on the island have influenced their work.

Fiona Hession co-curated the exhibition, along with Áras Éanna’s Artistic Director, Dara McGee and describes it as a special experience.

“Spending time on the island, revisiting the collection and tracing the journeys of artists, past and present, has been inspiring and thought-provoking. Inis Oírr offers something rare – a space for artists to disconnect from outside noise and fully immerse themselves in their work,” she says.

The show was officially launched last weekend Áras Éanna’s first Artistic Director, Val Balance, who spoke of his own time on the island and the centre’s legacy.

For current Artistic Director, Dara McGee, one of the centre’s most important roles is giving artists time to develop their process in a place that is transformative.

The artists in this anniversary exhibition are Seán Ó Flaithearta, Hughie O’Donoghue, Mick O’Dea, Geraldine O’Reilly, Carel Lanters, Mick Mulcahy, Daniel Coleman, The Clarin Arts Group, Inis Oírr National School, Maureen Fleming, John Behan,  Mary Fahy,  Joey Mason, Url Manfred, Tess Urbanska,  Dara McGee, Dan Ó Flaithearta, Margaret Tuffy, Mary Lee Murphy, Togra Muintir na nOileáin/áisitheoir Ceara Conway, Cecilia Danell,  Pat Quinn, Cyril Ó Flaitheartam Máirtín Taimín Ó Conghaile, Aisling Nic Craith, Mara Zsuzsanna, Dolores Lyne and Trish Conneely.

The show also features a selection of currachs from the Centre’s acclaimed 2021 currach exhibition and a selection of buoys from 2023 buoys exhibition. For more information on Áras Éanna Arts Centre on Inis Oírr, go to www.aras-eanna.ie.

Pictured: A currach created by sculptor John Behan, is one of the works on display in the exhibition.