Artist Sarah Lennon visits her work at Hotel Minella while on a family staycation!

Renowned Irish Artist, Sarah Lennon enjoyed a staycation with a difference at Hotel Minella with her family recently. Sarah was in Tipperary to be reunited with her work titled ‘Whispered Courage’ purchased by the Nallen family at a prestigious charity auction in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys and Sensational Kids at the Curragh Racecourse last year. The incredible work of art is a life-sized fibre resin horse sculpture painted in Sarah’s unique style. 

COVID-19 has put a halt to the many shows and exhibitions that Sarah regularly attends to showcase her work, however, she has used this time to move house and invest time and energy into her plans for a large studio and gallery. The busy mum of three also enjoyed a family break in Tipperary recently together with her husband Cathal and children Leah 9, Genevieve 8 and Conn 7. Speaking of her trip to Tipp she commented “We had a ball, as it was our first staycation during the pandemic we were naturally apprehensive but the team and procedures at Hotel Minella were fantastic and we immediately felt safe in a warm and friendly environment. The leisure centre was a big hit and we swam every day, the kids loved it. The hotel also arranged bicycles for us all and we cycled the Blueway from Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir and back which was so scenic, beautiful and thankfully flat and well surfaced. We got through it no problem, where we live it’s all hills so it was brilliant and even Conn who is just 7 managed it not a bother!”  

The Nallen family is steeped in the thoroughbred industry with owner John Nallen considered one of Ireland’s best at transforming National Hunt foals into prized pointers. John together with his sister Elizabeth Bowen manages the four-star establishment.  

Elizabeth said “We bought ‘Whispered Courage’ at the under stARTers orders charity auction lunch held at the Curragh Racecourse last year in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys and Sensational Kids, two charities very close to our hearts. To have Sarah and her family join us here at Hotel Minella to visit her creation again was our pleasure, she is a wonderful artist and the sculpture radiates colour, life and a sense of healthy curiosity for all who see it on arrival at the hotel.”  

A pleasure shared by Sarah who commented “To see ‘Whispered Courage’ again was very special indeed, the Nallen family bought it in support of the charities and it enjoys a real pride of place right outside the entrance to the hotel which I’ve no doubt is a great talking point for guests on arrival. The whole idea of this creation and indeed all my work is that there are many horses hidden within the work and it is the job of the person viewing the art to spot them. My work is all about being still and mindful and I like to think there is an element of fun in it too. You need the observer to find a hidden horse in the work quickly to realise the piece needs closer inspection for more buried within the piece and from there it unleashes a little magic!”