Pauline Dunleavy, a native of West Clare, considers herself very fortunate to have lived her life on the peninsula, bordered on one side by the majestic River Shannon and on the other by the powerful Atlantic Ocean.

Her paintings are informed by the changing seasons, a theme reflected in both her landscapes and seascapes. She draws inspiration from time spent outdoors and possesses a unique ability to identify beauty in the ordinary scenes around her.

With a long-standing interest in art and creativity, she began exhibiting her paintings in her Gallery and Craft Shop at Anchor Crafts, Kilrush. Over time, she has developed a vibrant, distinctive style, further enhanced by attending art courses at various centres in Ireland, France, Italy, and America. Generous in sharing her expertise, she actively encourages others to explore the wonderful world of art. As a dynamic member of the Kilrush Art Group, she also serves as a coordinator.

Her depiction of the sea is deeply influenced by her extensive exposure to its many moods, shaped by her twenty-five years of dedicated service to the RNLI—first as a member of the lifeboat crew and later as Station Manager. Her versatility as an artist is reflected in her use of various media, including oils, acrylics, watercolours, and more recently, encaustic.

As appreciation for Ireland’s land and seascapes has grown, she has received numerous commissions to meet this demand. Her work is highly sought after, and she exhibits at the Kilbaha Gallery, The Doorway Gallery in Dublin, and more recently, The Kenny Gallery in Galway.

Having participated in many exhibitions, she was delighted to recently showcase another collection of her paintings at the Clare Museum. She is deeply appreciative of the support provided by the Clare Arts Office in affording her this space.