SPRING PREVIEW WITH SIBYL MONTAGUE • SPRING PREVIEW WITH SIBYL MONTAGUE • SPRING PREVIEW WITH SIBYL MONTAGUE • SPRING PREVIEW WITH SIBYL MONTAGUE •
The Cartoon Inn, Rathdrum & Kunstverein Aughrim
11am–2pm, Saturday 23 May
Register your attendance via Eventbrite
Our Spring Preview with artist Sibyl Montague takes place on Saturday 23 May from 11am–2pm. Meeting at 11am at The Cartoon Inn in Rathdrum, the event begins with a conversation with artist Sibyl Montague, diviner Joe Cassidy, and curator Kate Strain. Following tea we’ll relocate to Aughrim for a viewing of the exhibition SON OF HONEY-BAG. The event ends in Aughrim around 2pm.
The Spring Preview is designed to share insight into the thinking, material experimentation and working processes behind Montague's approach to making new work. Through conversation and discussion we'll tease out some of the ideas that Montague is exploring within and beyond her studio practice, from thinking about inter-species relationships, and agricultural products & by-products, to human connections to land and resources in the Irish landscape.
Schedule
11am meet at The Cartoon Inn, Rathdrum
11:30am in-conversation with artist Sibyl Montague, diviner Joe Cassidy and curator Kate Strain
12:30pm drive in convoy to Aughrim (minibus available)
1pm light refreshments and exhibition view at Kunstverein Aughrim
2pm minibus returning to Rathdrum
Locations
The Cartoon Inn, 28 Main St, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, A67 YK61
Kunstverein Aughrim, Main Street, Aughrim Lower, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, Y14 K120
Information for attendees
- This event begins in Rathdrum (a twenty minute drive from Aughrim)
- The event location is a 10 minute walk from Rathdrum Train Station
- A minibus is available to take attendees between Rathdrum and Aughrim
- If you have specific dietary requirements and/or support or access requests, please let us know by emailing office@kunstverein.ie
- Attendance is free but advance registration via Eventbrite is recommended
Access
The Cartoon Inn is located off Main Street in the town of Rathdrum. There is limited on-street parking around the town, with car-parking options in the Londis carpark and library carpark. The Cartoon Inn is not step free, it has a series of internal steps and a stepped entrance threshold. It has one inaccessible bathroom.
Kunstverein Aughrim is located off Main Street in the village of Aughrim. There is limited on-street parking around the town, with one accessible parking spot outside Day Break. Kunstverein Aughrim is not step free, it has five steps at the entrance, with no handrails. Kunstverein Aughrim is located in the centre of the village, with busy roads either side. The footpaths are wide and uneven. There is a curb cut 40 meters from the entrance. Kunstverein Aughrim has one inaccessible bathroom. There is an accessible bathroom next door at First Batch bakery.
Getting to/from Rathdrum/Aughrim
Rathdrum is around 75km and Aughrim is around 90km from Dublin City Centre. There are limited public transport options to this part of County Wicklow. If coming from Dublin by public transport for this event we recommend taking the 9am Wexford Bus from Dublin Lr Merrion St (Clare St dropoff northbound), arriving to Arklow for 10:05am. Or the 7:55am Rosslare Europort Train from Connolly Station, arriving to Rathdrum Train Station at 9:21am. In the case of arriving to Arklow for shortly after 10am, a member of our team can meet you on arrival and drive you to Rathdrum, subject to prior arrangement by email.
Biographies
Sibyl Montague works across sculpture, moving image, drawing and textiles. Her practice explores counter narratives that deconstruct popular iconography and language, making work that reflects on inter-species relationships and human connections to land and resources. Recent exhibitions include Claí na Péiste/Worm's Ditch, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios (TBG+S) Dublin (solo 2022); Hammerheads, Solstice Arts Centre, Navan (2023); Fashion Show: Clothing Art and Activism, Glucksman Gallery, Cork (2022); The Narrow Gate of Here and Now – Social Fabric, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, (2021-22); 4Ever Chemical screening with AEMI, Project Arts Centre, Dublin (solo 2021); The Law is a White Dog, curated by Sarah Browne, TULCA, Galway Arts Centre (2020); SELF SOOTHERS, VISUAL Carlow (solo 2020); Saplings, Pallas Projects, Dublin (solo 2018).
Joe Cassidy is a diviner and healer originally from County Kildare. He practises an ancient and mysterious craft, working up and down the country with people, animals, houses and land. His enigmatic gifts of insight and healing have led him to work on over 5,000 cases over the past decade or more. His book The Diviner was published by Penguin in 2012.
SON OF HONEY-BAG is on view throughout Spring, closing on 23 May 2026. The exhibition may be visited during our opening hours 11–3pm Thursday–Sunday and by appointment. Please email office@kunstverein.ie to schedule your visit.
Kunstverein Aughrim’s collaboration with Sibyl Montague is supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.