Lansdowne Road – Artists At Work

There were two artists and five limited edition fine art prints of Lansdowne Road on display in the Minerva Suite at the RDS on Thursday evening.

The artists in question, according to IRFU President Peter Boyle, were the man responsible for producing the wondeful sketches of Lansdowne Road – renowned Dublin artist Desmond McCarthy – and, of course, one of the men to have graced that pitch with such wonderful aplomb in recent seasons, curent Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll.

On display were Artists Proofs and prints of the five sketches, specially commissioned by the IRFU, to mark the end of an era for the oldest international rugby stadium in the world.

…One of the sketches of Lansdowne Road…

A view of the pitch from the Havelock Square end and flanked by the East and West Stand, superb views of the West and East Stands and depiction of the Lansdowne Pavilion are part of the collection. While many of the proofs and prints were bought on the night, there is a small number of these limited edition, hand numbered prints still available.

To mark the unveiling of the prints a specially numbered set was presented to O’Driscoll, Ireland’s most successful captain. The number? 13 of course.

Commenting on the sketches, O’Driscoll said: “Desmond has really captured the grandeur of the old stadium. It was a wonderful feeling to be part of the last ever international against the Pacific Islanders. The reception we got from the crowd that day will be a special memory for anyone who was there.”

Desmond McCarthy said that he “tried to capture something of the atmosphere of the old ground,” a place he has been watching rugby since his schooldays.

…IRFU President Peter Boyle with Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll at the exhibition…

Lansdowne Road Fine Art Catalogue – here.

To order or for more information, please contact Maria Boland – Maria.Boland@irfu.ie – or telephone: +353 1 647 3800