Desmond McCarthy is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design Dublin and a member of the Water Colour Society of Ireland and The Dublin Painting and Sketching club. He teaches drawing and painting, sharing his knowledge and technique in Ireland, the U.K. and Greece.

His work is in many private and public collections in Ireland and throughout the world including in The Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin; The Department of Agriculture, Dublin; The Irish Embassies, in both London and Riyadh; The Irish Rugby Football Union headquarters, Dublin and The University of Limerick. Recent private commissions have been from Ireland, UK, USA, France, Spain, Greece and Australia.