Reflections on Strongbow and Aoife

Reflections on Strongbow and Aoife

This solo exhibition by a leading Irish contemporary artist explores and reinterprets the monumental painting The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife and its connection to the history and heritage of Waterford.

The original painting depicts the marriage in Waterford in 1170 between the Norman leader Richard de Clare, known as Strongbow, and Aoife, daughter of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster. This union marks a defining moment in Irish history, symbolising the establishment of a Norman presence in Ireland. Created for the Palace of Westminster, the artwork presents a powerful and ambiguous scene: Strongbow stands with his foot resting on a fallen Celtic cross, King Dermot watches in alarm, and an elderly musician collapses over his harp, reflecting the complex narrative of conquest and cultural change.

Waterford Gallery of Art presents this new commission alongside its major group exhibition, Normans, Romance, and Tragedy, creating a dialogue between contemporary artistic response and historical interpretation.

The Waterford Art Collection forms an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage and identity. Formerly known as The Waterford Municipal Art Collection, it is acknowledged as one of the oldest and best municipal collections of art in Ireland.

Originally founded in 1939, the collection has grown considerably since and now comprises almost 800 works of art. These include paintings, prints, photography, and sculptures – much of which provide a valuable insight into the development of twentieth-century Irish art.

Partners: Waterford Gallery of Art; Waterford City and County Council