From the forest to the Ocean Visual Art Exhibition
From the forest to the Ocean Visual Art Exhibition
July 18 @ 10:00 am – October 31 @ 5:00 pm IST
Bringing together photography, poetry, and film, this multidisciplinary exhibition draws inspiration from the physical landscapes of nature and the deep interconnectedness of life — from forests to the ocean
Book Your Place
Available to view as part of the Old Barracks Heritage Centre self-guided tour. More information here.
Artists
Mary Moynihan, writer, director, creator of art and photography
Full Event Details
From the Forest to the Ocean by Mary Moynihan runs at The Barracks Heritage Centre, Cahersiveen, from Saturday 6 June to Saturday 31 October 2026, 10am-5pm daily. All welcome. From the Forest to the Ocean is a powerful exhibition featuring the work of Irish artist Mary Moynihan. Bringing together photography, poetry, and film, this multidisciplinary exhibition draws inspiration from the physical landscapes of nature and the deep interconnectedness of life — from forests to the ocean.
The artworks map physical landscapes and seascapes to landscapes of the soul and are rooted in reflections on nature, journeys of interconnectedness, and the art of letting go, exploring the delicate boundaries between the natural world and the human spirit. The work creates a synergy between the evocative beauty and fragility of the photographic landscapes and seascapes of counties Dublin, Wicklow, Kerry, and France, combined with the emotional impact of poetical texts in written and in a poem-film format. This stunningly beautiful exhibition nurtures a dialogue between inner and outer worlds, reminding us that nature, creativity, and humanity are deeply intertwined. The artworks linger in the mind and heart, offering a lasting sense of connection and prompting reflection long after leaving the gallery. This event is funded by Kerry County Council and Failte Ireland.
Visitors are invited to step into a space of reflection and self-expression, exploring the delicate boundaries between the natural world of landscapes and seascapes and the human spirit. The work evokes a gentle yet profound invitation: to breathe, to reconnect with the rhythms of life and love, and to re-wild both the landscape and the human soul.
Speaker Biographies:
Mary Moynihan, MA, she/her, is an award-winning author of novels, plays, poetry and films, originally from Dublin, Ireland. Mary has an honours BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an honours Masters in Film Production from TU Dublin. Mary embarked upon her award-winning career as a writer in theatre and film and has garnered much acclaim for her plays, poetry and short film scripts and for creating inter-disciplinary artworks combining writing and photography presented in galleries and online. She established and became Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and is Artistic Curator for the annual Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival.
After raising four children, now all adults, and following her recovery from serious illness, Mary dedicated her time to becoming a writer. She writes fiction for young people and adults featuring stories of courage, laughter, tragedy, happiness, love, death and action-packed adventures. Mary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel series Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction, Mary’s characters are clever, fearless, vulnerable, crazy, and strong, looking for love, fun, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots, dramatic lives, lots of laughs, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love, happiness, creativity and meaning in life.
Mary pens a series of articles and Creative Musings on Arts, Creativity, Leadership and Self-Esteem which appears in the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality newsletter and on Mary’s website marymoynihan.ie
In her free time Mary loves to spend time with her four adult children, hang out with friends and swims in the sea all year round. She loves the ocean, sky and moon and has a spiritual connection to the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea, to the environs of Dublin bay and to the mystical landscapes of Valentia Island and the surrounding Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry, her spiritual home. She is a big fan of the Dublin GAA Gaelic football and hurling teams.
Organisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):
