Buckley Fine Art Gallery, Cork, Clonakilty: History, Collection, Exhibitions

Buckley Fine Art Gallery
Cork and Clonakilty Galleries for Best-Selling Paintings: History, Artists Represented, Collection, Exhibitions, Services, Opening Hours.
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WORKS BY ARTISTS

Vogue
Katarzyna Gajewska

Buckley Fine Art: Cork & Clonakilty

I spend a lot of time in galleries. As the editor of a visual arts website it's an essential part of the job. But visiting Buckley's gallery in Clonakilty was quite an eye-opener. Within 30 minutes I'd lost count of the number of paintings I wanted to buy. I couldn't believe that a gallery could get it so right. The following week I visited their Cork premises (behind the Cork City courthouse) and pretty much the same thing happened. Almost immediately I saw two works by a Polish artist (Katarzyna Gajewska) whom I'd never heard of. The fact she was unknown to me wasn't a surprise, but the quality and impact of her work certainly was. If you like expressionist portraits, go and see her at Buckley's as soon as you can, because she is pure magic, and her works sell fast. Another great artist is the English seascape painter Alan Kingwell, whose work is exclusive to Buckley's. Usually I find seascapes rather dull but Kingwell's mastery of the genre - especially his 'translucent surf' - is quite extraordinary.

Golden Sunset (detail)
Alan Kingwell

I won't bore you with any more of my personal tastes, except to say that I strongly recommend this gallery. I haven't seen such a tempting collection of artists and paintings for a long time. Easily the best in the Cork area.

Artists Represented

I've mentioned a couple of foreign artists, but in fact most of Buckley's exhibits are by Irish painters. The list is relatively wide and includes a variety of established names, so prices vary. Big names include: Arthur K. Maderson, Francis Bacon, Hughie O'Donoghue, William Crozier, Brian Ballard Tony O'Malley, Martin Mooney, Markey Robinson, John Kingerlee, J.P. Rooney, Tim Goulding, and TJ Miles, while other artists include: Martin Finnin, Majella O Neill-Collins, Tom Climent, John Morris, Dennis Orme Shaw and Carol Ann Waldron, to name but a tiny few. In addition, you'll find a number of very interesting works by new artists to Ireland (like Gajewska), which you might like even more.

Stars in Our Eyes (detail)
Carol Ann Waldron

History

Buckley's is a long-established family business which began in antiques and later moved into fine art. The business is run by two brothers Mark and Ken Buckley. Mark tends to source paintings while Ken handles the galleries themselves. Both are very down to earth and highly attuned to the commercial needs of customers and artists alike. They provide a number of extra services for potential buyers, and are always on the lookout for talented and committed painters, irrespective of pedigree.

Services

Home Viewing Service
If you don't have time to visit the gallery, Buckley's will bring a selection of works to your home for you to view in private.

End Of July, Inch Beach.
John Morris.

Customer Satisfaction
To make sure you're completely happy with your purchase, Buckley's allow you to hang a picture in your home and see how it feels, before making a final decision.

Advice For Businesses
If you own a hotel, restaurant, pub or any other business which might benefit from the installation of beautiful pictures, Buckley's will advise you on what to choose and then install it for you, no matter how large or small your budget. Ask them for details of their satisfied clients.

Gallery Opening Hours

Cork: Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 6pm.
Clonakilty: Open Sunday as well as regular hours, Mon-Sat.

IRISH ART GALLERIES
For reviews of the best museums
of arts in Ireland, see:
- National Gallery of Ireland
- National Museum of Ireland
- Irish Museum of Modern Art
- Hugh Lane Gallery Dublin
- Chester Beatty Library
- Trinity College Dublin Library
- National Self-Portrait Collection
- The Hunt Museum (Limerick)
- Ulster Museum.

Contact Details

Mark Buckley
Convent Road,
Clonakity,
West Cork.
Mobile 087-7975280
023-8821929

Ken Buckley
2 Fenns Quay, Cork City.
M 087-9290907
P 021-4223577

Website: www.buckleyfineart.com

Review written by Neil Collins (Editor) (October 2008).

• For details of the most highly priced Irish works, see: Most Expensive Irish Paintings, and Irish Art Market.
• For information about established painters and sculptors from the 32 counties, see: Famous Irish Artists.
• For details of Cork's other top art venues see: the Crawford Art Gallery and the Lewis Glucksman Gallery.
• See also: Fenton Gallery, the Lavit Gallery, the Vangard Gallery and the Cork Vision Centre.

• To update this review of Buckley's Fine Art Gallery, click here.