Crawford Supported Studios and Cork County Council present 

This is Ireland

The exhibition features the work of 16 disabled artists

Crawford Supported Studios and Cork County Council’s LHQ Gallery present This is Ireland, a vibrant group exhibition of artists working within supported studio settings. Running from Friday, 6th March to Friday, 24th April 2026, the exhibition features the work of 16 disabled artists and offers a powerful perspective that challenges stereotypes.

This is Ireland explores how identity is shaped through storytelling, popular culture, local landscape and shared rituals. Among the depictions of Irish culture included, there are members of Kneecap enjoying a pint, a pair of mummers wearing straw head-pieces and familiar street scenes reflecting threads of connection and belonging. This exhibition offers fresh perspectives on what defines Irish culture and the artwork demonstrates a fresh approach to materials and technique that undermines the easy assumptions that are made about artists with a disability.

The exhibiting artists include Íde Ní Shúilleabháin who has exhibited in Kilkenny, Columbia and New York, Yvonne Condon whose artwork was exhibited on a billboard in Temple Bar, and Tom O’Sullivan who was awarded the inaugural Visibility Bursary Award from Cork City Council and the Arts Council, along with Judit Bakos, Ailbhe Barrett, Angela Burchill, David Connolly, Bríd Heffernan, Eoin O’Brion, John Keating, Mary Rose Marshall, Rosaleen Moore, Nicola Moran, Stephen Murray, Marie Sexton, and Katie Whelan. All have developed their practice through Crawford Supported Studios which provides a sustained creative art space through technical, artistic support, access and networks.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley announced the exhibition, saying, “We are delighted to present this exhibition at Cork County Council’s dedicated exhibition space LHQ Gallery. We recognise the importance of the work that Crawford Supported Studios does for these artists and we celebrate an opportunity to bring their work to new audiences. This is Ireland presents playful, unapologetic and brave work that we encourage all to see.”

This is Ireland opens on Friday, 6th of March and runs until Friday, 24th April at LHQ Gallery. An opening reception will take place on Friday, 6th of March at 1pm, and all are welcome to attend. There will be a programme of events as part of the Lifelong Learning Festival in conjunction with this exhibition (more information below). LHQ Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm, except for public holidays.

Crawford Supported Studios is a partnership between MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with support from Cork City Council Arts Office.

LHQ Gallery is managed by the Library and Arts Service at Cork County Council, supported by the Arts Council.