GAA dual player to host solo art exhibition
Following on from a season-ending ACL injury, Mooney has taken his recovery very seriously and used the time off the pitch to develop a new collection of paintings
County Derry artist Ruairi Mooney is set to run his 2026 solo exhibition and sale of work at Portstewart Golf Club in the coming weeks.
The exhibition will take place on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 from 11am to 8pm and Sunday, August 16 from 11am to 6pm.
Following on from a season-ending ACL injury that he suffered in a club championship hurling match last August, Mooney has taken his recovery very seriously and used the time off the pitch to develop a new collection of paintings for his 2026 exhibition.
The Eoghan Rua Coleraine dual player is now planning for a busy summer with a solo exhibition and his sights on a return to play.
“GAA has always been a huge part of my life and I really enjoy the balance between my art and my sport, so to lose half of that balance in a way has been difficult. Anyone that has done their ACL will know that it takes an awful lot of effort to come back from and it can be a lonely road watching your teammates from the sideline,” he said.
"I think that having a focus like this new collection has not only given me a goal but an outlet over the last 12 months. With my biggest ever exhibition just around the corner and Club championship only weeks away it feels like things are coming round full circle. I can’t wait for both.”
This will be his first exhibition event in 12 months, showcasing a brand new collection of original paintings.
The North Coast artist is following on from his hugely popular exhibition events in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Featuring 20 new original paintings inspired by the beauty of the artist’s hometown and the surrounding landscapes.
Ruairi’s paintings showcase an excellent use of light and colour to create vibrant artworks on canvas.
He is thrilled to share his latest portfolio of work taking inspiration from the North Coast scenery, as well as iconic views from across the country including Ballintoy, Derry city and beyond.
A selection of the artist’s limited edition prints will be framed on display and available for sale.
There will be a large variety of work including limited edition prints of some contemporary landscape studies of the North Coast, Derry city and the Cliffs of Moher.
“I am in my fifth year as a full-time artist and my work is constantly evolving. I am thrilled to share this new collection of work with some of my most bold and exciting paintings yet. This exhibition really captures this beautiful part of the world at its best. I have been using my social media to give followers a peak into the creative process of these paintings, but nothing beats actually seeing them in the flesh, beyond the phone screen. The process of putting this work together has involved months of preparation in the studio, so I’m looking forward to actually getting out of that space and letting people see the work in person and have a chat about it.”
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Commission orders can be undertaken.
For more information visit @artbymooney on Facebook and Instagram, telephone 07565096332 or email [email protected]
Visit artbymooney.com to see more of the artist’s work.