Cashel of the Kings, Ireland (Carraig Phadraig)

Artist: Avril Brand
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Card: US$4.32
Print: from US$18.52

Cashel of the Kings, Ireland (Carraig Phadraig)

Oils on canvas (20×26 inches)

After 6 months of working on this painting, waiting for layers to dry and working on others in between, The Rock of Cashel is finished. Over the last few days, I have been working a couple of hours per day to finish one of the most challenging paintings I have ever done.

Although extremely time consuming, this painting was also a treat to do. I escaped into medieval times and let my imagination run wild. Each little window and turret became a story as historical figures came to life in my mind.

I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Known as the Rock of Cashel and sometimes St Patrick’s Rock, Cashel in Tipperary has served as the ancient seat of the Irish kings of Munster for hundreds of years before the Norman invasion.

St.Patrick converted the local King Aenghus, here in the 5th century and Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster here in 977. He became High King of Ireland in 1002.

There are many legends about this magical place, some based on fact but others are pure myth.

While baptising King Aenghus here, St Patrick accidentally struck his crozier through the foot of the king. The king thought it was part of the ceremony and did not even whimper!

Another legend surrounding The Rock is that of a supposed underground tunnel between The Rock and Hore Abbey which lies about 400 metres from the site of The Rock. This tunnel has never been found but some people like to believe that one does exist.

The story of Brian Boru enthralled me many years ago when as a young girl in South Africa, I dreamed of one day visiting Britain and Ireland and wandering about in all the old castles and cathedrals.

And here I am, in Ireland.

My visit to the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary was one of the special moments of my life!

I hope you get to live your dream too!

Cashel of the Kings, Ireland (Carraig Phadraig) belongs to the following groups:

"Real" Life Artwork (No Photography), All Around the Styles, Castle Magic, Decorative and Traditional Art, Dimensions, Fine Arts, Green!, Heritage in Stone, Historic Churches, Ireland , Oil Painting, Out of the Past, Prize Challenges!!, Realist Traditional Art, Religious Art & Photography, Ruins, Ancient and Derelict Buildings, Spiritual Art and The true beauty Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Avril Brand
Arie van der W...

Wow Avril…what a great piece of work!!! Wonderful wonderful job…stunning!
You’re right…never let you dream go away….thanks!
Avril Brand replied

Thanks Arie… six more to go!!! LOL!
John Quinn

Absolutely wonderful Avril. Beautiful painting of this fantastic monument
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, John. I think I must start painting from page one of your portfolio but I don’t think I will live long enough to reach page 6!!! :-)
John Quinn

Thanks Avril, thats very flattering. Your a wonderful artist and this is a magical piece of work
barnsis

Oh my goodness, let me start by saying I spent several years teaching Architectural drafting, a part of which was teaching one, two and three point perspectives. I know and understand correct perspective drawing. When I look at a work of art done by an artist the first thing I notice is the correctness of the perspectives, just can’t help it with so many years of teaching it. You perspectives here are as near perfect as a hand painted one can be, you actually have painted in three point perspective, very difficult. The road is even in perspective with the castle. Add to all this the colors, details, light, shading and I must say oh my goodness this is one of the best I have seen of this type of buildings art. Absolutely fantastic art.
Avril Brand replied

Wow, thank you Byron!! What a wonderful thing to say. I can tell you that the drawing alone gave me headaches!! I never usually bother with drawing too much as I like to get stuck into the painting but this painting required so many drawings until I was eventually satisfied (most drawings ended up in the garbage, crumpled in frustration).

I don’t know much about three point perspectives (I notices you often mention it) but I do know when it does not look right.

The difficult thing about Cashel is that the buildings all date from different periods and are quite haphazardly placed. So, its hard to figure what is next to, behind or in front. Hence the garbage bin full of failed drawings. The painting was the easy part as everything just falls in place. I had the same difficulty with Mist over Kylemore Abbey… different periods of buildings just added on.
RMonroe

Ow Wow Avril, this is fantastic….a brilliant work of art:)
Avril Brand replied

Thanks so much Robin!! xxx
hilarydougill

glorious. hugs
Avril Brand replied

Thanks Hilary!!! Big Hug Backxxx hope your wrist is getting better… take care!
Linda Syms

Beautiful artwork Avril.
Avril Brand replied

Thanks so much, Linda :-)
Michael Oubridge

Superb image.
Avril Brand replied

Thanks Michael :-)
webbie

THIS IS JUST AWSOME Avril….the textures the colors…just beautiful…Love it my friend :) huggggggz
Avril Brand replied

Oh thanks, webbie! Hugggzz xxx
Macky

There is so much detail in this beautiful painting Avril, you must really be proud of this one. What took you 6 months would have probably taken me 6 years. :-)
Avril Brand replied

Thanks Macky! It was a challenge! When I started working on this painting I actually searched for other paintings of Cashel to see how different artists treated the subject. Except for some drawings from the 1800’s, I could not find anyone crazy enough to try this amount of detail. Most are water colours, hazy outlines on the hill, etc. I guess I must be crazy, then! LOL.
Janis Zroback

Fantastic work Avril…the details are incredible..I can almost see each blade of grass, and the textures are so realistic…the soft velvet of the grass and the rough hewn stone of the Castle…it was well worth the wait…
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Janis… I wish I could take a better photograph because the painting is a little brighter and the lines more clear than my poor photographic skills show. I took about twenty photo’s and this one is the best of the worst.
EarthGipsy

Beautiful work Avril. I don’t know anything about painting, but that sure looks stunning to me!
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Earthgipsy! :-)
Jim Phillips

Excellent work. I particularly like the hillside in the foreground. The depth of that hillside is what aides the castle itself come into full 3D. Beautiful work and certainly well painted.
Avril Brand replied

Thanks Jim. I had a big tree on the side and removed it because I wanted to focus on the building. I did not even notice the effect of the hill until you mentioned it!!! I just painted contours and more rocks to balance the composition.
Estelle O'Brien

Amazing work Avril. It went straight into my favourites. One day I shall visit in person, but meantme I shall look at this wonderful painting. Your technical skill and patience is inspiring! xx
Avril Brand replied

Oh thanks, Estelle. Be sure to pop over the Shannon to county Clare and I will have a cuppa ready for you! Patience is easy when you love getting lost in another world (on canvas).
Michelle *

Beautiful Avril, I do not have any qualifications to judge art or architecture or anything, but I do know what I like…and this is stunning.
Avril Brand replied

Aw thanks Michelle… I don’t have any art qualifications either, Michelle, and my maths is – well, I was told to sit in the back of the class!... But a ruler and a calculator does wonders… LOL.
A90Six

Congratulations on finishing this wonderful work! Have a cup of tea, sit back, relax and admire it! Fantastic detail and light. Great work!
:) Tony.
Avril Brand replied

Oh thanks Tony! :-)
Eyeleen

Wow, the wait and hard work on it paid off…..Fabulous!!!!
Avril Brand replied

Thanks so much, Eyeleen :-)
GloriaDK

congratulations on finishing it Avril. You did a good job and yes perspective is not easy to do. It is my worst nightmare.
Avril Brand replied

Gloria… thank you! I don’t really think about it but just instinctively know when it is right and its usually the first thing I see when its wrong.
Terri Chandler

Awe inspiring! I admire your talent. Just beautiful.
Avril Brand replied

Aw… thanks so much! :-)
Connie Danaher

Hi Avril, another beautiful work of art. Well done once again. You are a true genius.
Avril Brand replied

Oh thanks, Connie… you are very sweet, my friend… genius – no, I think not.
ienemien

Wonderful!! Really, I know how much joy it gives you to paint. I have the same with my Mont St. michel. Bye…Ien
Avril Brand replied

Ien, your Mont St. Michel is gorgeous… thank you so much:-)
Tom Gomez

Phenominally good …
Avril Brand replied

Thanks, Tom! :-)
Antanas

Great work, well done
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Antanas… :-)
cloudsdreams

wow….a magical heritage when one escapes into a painting, as actors get into character. this is awesome representational of someone who truly loves their land and home. i admire painting and how long it took. i miss those days yet getting there….land here in colorado awesome, yet nothing as old and heart felt such as yours….i am truly impressed. i a fifth generation corker and live in cork and Waterford off and on in travels. the land, the sky, the weather, nothing compares. someday will get back. how this made me feel so very good. gifted you are. when i draw multimedia takes three months, bloom on prisma. yet i love doing. i see your love and dreams this perfection of one who feels the land. thank you for so much beauty in this. inspirational to all you give. long comment forgive. just so excited….
Avril Brand replied

Thank you so much! I read your bio and you are such an interesting person.
cloudsdreams

thanks Avril, yes i have gone so many ways and times. just happenstance and a lead. slowed down from all, yet if i could be someone else i still would be i…..we all have storys. the yuk pie ones is yes this is my story and i am no longer my story….slow to get there, yet i get wee stronger each day. bubble had such a big part in this. your passion for painting is what brought me to bubble. mission statement…passion of art. i truly see this is all here. now i have you to watch and see that awesome passion…thank you..wonderful and complex you feel. love all i have seen of your works…..never stop…
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, you are are so sweet! It was someone else’s dream that brought me to redbubble… a dear friend who was ill for a while and I hope to hear from her soon.
Geir Floede

Its like a farytail. A fantastic atmosphere in this pic.
Avril Brand replied

Thank you Geir! :-)
saleire

Fantastic painting Avril…...wonderful!!!!!
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Sal!!! hugsxxx
Clive King

Ah finished. I saw the unfinished version. I thought the first one was cracking but the finished article is a real stunner.
Avril Brand replied

Thank you Clive! :-)
Agnes McGuinness

Avril, this is just brilliant:)
Avril Brand replied

Thank you Agnes :-)
Mariaan Krog A...

Brilliant Avril! I ABSOLUTELY love it! Funny thing: I have just asked (15 minutes ago) another member on RB if I may use a few of her photos of a castle for my next painting! Great minds…. He-he-he….;D
Avril Brand replied

Oh thanks, Mariaan! I hope you do a castle and please please let me know! Too few people paint castles nowadays… its a lot of work but very rewarding and great fun!
Mariaan Krog A...

I will let you know. I am taking a break with my paitinting right now. Busy going through my old photo files – I can’t believe how many photos there are that I haven’t edit yet!
mobii

Wow Avril. Every man dreams of being the king in his castle, and if I had one, I would hope it looks like this. Outstanding painting. applause
Avril Brand replied

Awww mobii! I could hug you!
bill oneil

wonderful art Avril…a beautiful painting
Avril Brand replied

Thanks so much, Bill! :-)
Richard Veal

Beautiful work and detail Avril.
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Richard!!
Hagen

Nice work
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Hagen! :-)
Ginger Barritt

Amazing talent…the patience it shows….amazing…
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Ginger! A place you must visit one day!
julie08

Beautiful work Avril:)
Avril Brand replied

Thanks Julie! :-)
Mariaan Krog A...

Well, I thought I was going to tke a break with painting! Received commissions on my rose photos – (Jippie, is dit nie fantasties nie? Nou is ek geinspireerd, hoor! Sien jou die naweek vriendin!) I love, love, love this painting and I will be returning again & again to look at it Avril.
Avril Brand replied

Congratulations with the commission… dit is fantasties, jong! Ek hoop jy bly sommer baie besig en kan nie voorbly nie… elke kunstenaar se droom, ne?
Denise Martin

This is a really beautiful painting, Avril. Isn’t Ireland the most magical place!
Denise
Avril Brand replied

Thank you so much, Denise! Yes… Ireland is indeed magical! BTW… I LOVE your paintings!!! :-)
Alessandro Pinto

beautiful..love the green lreland and all its castles….l´ve been 3 times in the nothern part.. an the sceneries were wonderful ! Great piece of work !
Avril Brand replied

Thank you Alessandro. I apologise for only answering now… somehow I missed comments. Ireland is beautiful for many reasons… all 40 shades of green (actually, I think there is about 60!), wonderful people and the scenery is stunning.
Hidemi Tada

Excellent work!
Avril Brand replied

Thank you so much Hidemi!
purplerose

Very nice work.
Avril Brand replied

Thank you, Jerrica!!!
Bev Woodman

Avril your work is incredibly beautiful – I just love the way you capture and present each one.
Avril Brand replied

Gosh, thanks Bev… what a lovely thing to say!
Patricia Montg...

You are an awesome artist, Avril – this is fantastic!!!
Avril Brand replied

Oh thank you Patricia!!! You are so kind!!
Robert O'Neill

Very well done. Incidently, there is also a Craig Phadrig in Inverness where I come from.
Avril Brand replied

Thank you Robert!!! Wow.. that is great information… I did not know that! Do you think it was also named after St Patrick?
Sean Jansen

Oh wow, what a marvelous job you did on this. Very impressive. I myself am part Irish, but have yet to visit this beautiful country. Great bit of history you wrote with it too.
Sean
Avril Brand replied

Thank you!! You really must visit some time, Sean!! You will love Ireland!
Robert O'Neill

Possibly. It is a hill-fort where the Caledonian King Brude was—st Columba visited him there. It must have been named after this as the Caledonians/Picts were Pagan and at war with the Christian Scots
Avril Brand replied

Thanks Robert… I must look up the history, this is very interesting.
Stzar

your painting is fantastic Avril !!
what an amazing work of art ~ so much attention to details and architecture WOW !!
Wonderful and beautiful !!
Avril Brand replied

Thank you so much, Karon!!! :-)
Hollie Nass

Wow! Amazing painting! You are so very talented!!!
Stzar

Congratulations for your feature in the History group : ))
Kate Eller

Unbelievable work. So detailed. Love this painting. Such talent Avril.
catnip addict ...

does it come with laundry hook ups?
Alessandro Pinto

magic..Awesome work !
CLICK58

Woohoo!!!! My absolute fave of yours…I love everything about it…it just draws you in…the rocky hills…the gorgeous sky…and the mystery of what lies within those walls….wonderful xoxo
MilanPhotograp...

Wow! This is lovely Avril!

Milan
Laura Lea Comeau

HI Avril
I love the lavender in the sky it really sets off the rest of the painting!! really nice!
Braedene

Well worth the effort – it is beautiful – wonderful artwork.
Singjoyous

Very beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this. I would like to see Ireland. It is such a beautiful country…it’s breathtaking.