BLOODLINE
PEN AND INK WASH
EIGHTY 5.5"x14" BRISTOL CARDS
The 80 cards on the walls encircling the gallery depict the 1,490 of the 12,000 tenants who worked on the Mahon Mansion estate lands, but could not pay the rent. They were forced from their homes, given pre-paid passage to Canada by the landlord, Denis Mahon, in 1847. Although the tenants had very few if any possessions, they did carry with them their Irish heritage, religion, stories, and traditions. Included within the 80 drawings are various saints, mythological people, and objects that represent Irish culture.
St. Patrick - 387
St. Brigit - 451
St. Columba - 521
St. Christopher - 220
Banshee
Grogoch
Hunting the Wren
Patron saint of Ireland Born in Roman-Britain, kidnapped and enslaved by the Irish, escaped, returned, and brought Christianity to Ireland.
Patron saint of Ireland, babies, mothers, farmers, poor, justice. Founded first convent in Ireland for women, merged with Celtic goddess St. Brigit, pre-Christian goddess of healing and fertility.
Patron saint of Ireland, established many monasteries in Ireland and Scotland, one of which would create the Book of Kells.
Patron saint of travelers.
Mythological female spirit warning of death.
Short hairy fairy that assists humans with farm chores.
A celebration, St. Stephen’s Day, Boxing Day, for prosperity. “Wrenboys” wear straw costumes with a wren on a stick. The ritual was derived from a story of the first Christion martyr, St. Stephen, whose hiding place was betrayed to his enemies by a noisy wren.
Ceili Dancing
Boy with Sling Shot
Lucky Charms and the Leprechaun
Various Games of Lost Childhoods
Musicians
Irish line dancing with quick footwork and arms still at the sides.
Occasional good luck along the path could provide a small bit of food.
Inspired by the luck of the Irish: “yellow moons, pink hearts, green clover,” black potatoes
Rolling a hoop, blind leading the blind, a rhyme about death - Ring Around the Rosie
Music and dance continue to be a huge part of Ireland’s cultural impact on the world. During the famine years music and dancing declined because many poor people had to sell instruments for food or rent. In the drawings you will find a harp, violin, penny whistle, concertina.
Menacing Skeletons
Harbinger of death.
