80-piece art exhibition at the Belltable aims to raise funds for St Michael’s Rowing Club

St Michaels Art Auction – Pictured is exhibit organiser and photographer of ‘Kilkee by Moonlight’ Brian Richardson at the launch at the Belltable. Picture: Ava O’ Donoghue.

The funds from St Michaels Art Auction will go towards the rowing club

By I Love Limerick correspondent Ava O’Donoghue

St Michaels Art Auction is an 80-piece art exhibition is currently taking place from Thursday, May 26 until Thursday, June 9 at the Belltable in support of St Michael’s Rowing Club.

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Founded in 1901, St Michael’s Rowing Club is one of Ireland’s Premier Rowing Club, and caters for oarsmen and oarswomen from Junior 12 to the more experienced “Masters”, with members of all ages.

During the past three decades, the club has established itself as one of the major forces in Irish rowing by winning no less than 37 championships of all grades from Junior to Senior. In 2007, the club won the covered Senior VIII “Big Pot” and became the first crew to bring the trophy to Limerick in 80 years.  

Throughout the years, it has had members selected for international competitions including World Championships and Olympic Regattas, but the club is also proud of its non-competitive and less strenuous pleasure-rowing which takes place throughout the year.

There are many Limerick artists supporting the event such as Mary Conroy, Claire Hartigan, Gillian Kenny Shinnors, Liam Madden and Moya Ni Cheallaigh. There are also many St Michaels club members who have submitted pieces, many of them rowing themed. There’s an eclectic mix of styles, colours, and sizes in the exhibition.

Some pieces available at the exhibition will only be able to be purchased at auction and are marked with a blue sticker whereas advanced purchased pieces can be bought before the auction and will be marked with a yellow sticker. Advance purchase prices are set and published on the website so those interested in purchasing before the website can do so on the St Michael’s Rowing Club website.

The event started out as a fundraiser for the club, but it’s brought the best of Limerick artists together. Louise Donlon and her team in The Belltable have helped the fundraisers transform what could have been a quick 1/2-day auction into an entire event and exhibition in the city centre gallery. 

Funds made from the sales and St Michaels Art Auction taking place on Thursday, June 9 will go towards St Michael’s ambitious plan to replace their ageing racing boats throughout 2021-2023. While ideal for learners, some of the boats are over 20 years old and leave the top tier crews of St Michael’s at a disadvantage when competing in national and international regattas.

Funds made from the sales and auction taking place on Thursday, June 9 will go towards St Michael’s plan to replace their ageing racing boats throughout 2021-2023. While ideal for learners, some of the boats are over 20 years old and leave the top tier crews of St Michael’s at a disadvantage when competing in national and international regattas.

The rowing equipment needed is not cheap, but the funds raised from the auction will allow the club to have all the necessary equipment to keep doing what they do best!

It’s a real treat for the eyes and there’s such a mix of styles on display that it’s generating great conversations on who likes what and why. Go fall in love with a piece, buy it and promote Limerick Art and also the great work that St Michael’s Rowing Club continues to do for Limerick. 

For more stories on St Michael’s Rowing Club go HERE 

To view all the pieces on auction, go HERE