Voyage is the name of a new show from Galway’s artists’ group, AKIN.

Margaret Irwin West, Leonie King, Dolores Lyne, Jay Murphy and Sioban Piercy are showing their work in the Great Hall of Oranmore Castle, in an exhibition which sees them explore their own individual artistic journeys while also celebrating the collective’s 30th anniversary.

The AKIN Collective has exhibited throughout Ireland and internationally and on this occasion, the group has invited acclaimed English artist and printer Norman Ackroyd to join them and present his trove of aquatint prints inspired by the castle. It’s one of his favourite places to stay.

“Norman is one of the foremost printers working today in Europe,” says Dolores Lyne of the group. “His visits to Galway, staying in Oranmore Castle began over 40 years ago.”

She adds that “his knowledge of the islands, from High Island to Inishbofin and all along the coast, is incredible”.

Ackroyd, who is now 85, has long been fascinated by the islands off Scotland’s and Ireland’s west coasts, and paintings he made from boats have inspired his etchings

He has always been a great supporter of  printmakers from the West of Ireland, says Dolores, so AKIN are delighted to have him show his work in the castle which he loves so much.

Oranmore Castle, which is believed to date from the 1400s, has had a fascinating history, having been owned by the Clanricarde dynasty at one time before being captured by Cromwellian forces in the mid-17th century.