Artist to unveil portraits celebrating positive contributions of those who made Meath their home

On Tuesday 12th April, Minister Helen McEntee will attend the ceremonial unveiling of three very special portraits in Navan Library. These were commissioned by Meath County Council as part of The National Integration Fund which was launched by the Minister in 2020.

The portraits aim to celebrate the positive contributions of those who have come to make Ireland their home and show the active parts that they play in our communities.

Through her empathetic style of portrait painting, local artist Mary Duffy has created portraits the tell the story of each sitter.

“When I was asked to paint these portraits, I was delighted that I would get to meet the sitters to get to know them and how they came to be in Ireland.

I went to meet them in Cultúr, the Migrants Centre in Navan where all three of them work. I took some photos and did some sketching but mostly I listened to their fascinating stories of what they have done since coming to Ireland.

I was amazed at all they had achieved, and I wanted to portray an element of their fascinating stories in their portraits.”

The Portraits of Integration will be unveiled by Minister Helen McEntee at 6.30pm on Tuesday 12th April in Navan Library. They will be on display until the end of April and all are welcome.

“It was truly an honour to create portraits of these three remarkable people and I hope the portraits will highlight their wonderful contributions to Irish society.”

Mary is available for commissions by contacting her on her website www.maryduffyportraits.ie or you can call her on 087 8117331.