Opening reception Wednesday 6 July, 6-9pm

Jewellery Box – Ireland’s Hidden Gems is a wondrous collection of over fifty photographs focusing on the elements of nature found in rock pools all around Ireland, revealing a world that so often goes unnoticed by the naked eye. Their distinctive inhabitants such as periwinkles, anemones, urchins and all types of seaweed have presented Daragh with a unique canvas to photograph and the results are a definite ‘must see’.

Accompanying the exhibition is Daragh’s book also entitled Jewellery Box – Ireland’s Hidden Gems, which highlights over forty of the images featured in the exhibition.

Daragh travelled to seventeen coastal counties of Ireland (including counties Antrim, Down and Derry in Northern Ireland) and the results show his exceptional photographic technique and ability to see beyond the norm, with his instinctive ability to see the colours, texture and patterns of nature and translate these elements into some amazing abstract works of art.

As an inspiration for everyone interested in the beauty of nature, Daragh said, “The photographs for the exhibition and book have brought back wonderful childhood memories of exploring pools where tiny creatures in their own magical world kept me entertained for hours. Travelling around our beautiful island of Ireland in my campervan over several months has given me great insight into the variation of the landscape, geology and life of our seashores. I am now looking forward to sharing the images with as wide an audience as possible as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of nature that are Ireland’s beautiful shores.”

The exhibition, will run as part of the PhotoIreland Festival 2011, which is now in its second year and going from strength to strength. PhotoIreland’s founder, Ángel Luís González, won the Arts category in the 2010 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards.

TileStyle, Ireland’s leading retailer of tiles, stone, wood and bathrooms, is delighted to support both the festival and this up and coming Irish artist. “At a time when business is tough and the environment challenging, it is a great lift to everyone at TileStyle to be part of a positive endeavour such as this, reminding us all of what a beautiful country we are part of and that focusing on these positives is a wonderful tonic for us all” says Gerard McNaughton, Retail Director at TileStyle.

Daragh’s work is well known amongst the arts community and features in many public and private collections. More information about Daragh Muldowney and Dúlra Photography is available at www.dulraphotography.com.