Original Painting
Tony (A.) McNally - Oil on Canvas “Working the Land”
Signed and framed Irish landscape depicting traditional rural working life
Key Details
Artist: Tony (A.) McNally (b.1953)
Title: “Irish Turf Cutting Scene”
Medium: Oil
Support: Canvas
Signature: Signed lower right: A. McNally
Dimensions: Image: 30 × 40 cm (11.8 × 15.7 in);
Framed: 59 × 48 cm (23.2 × 18.9 in)
Condition: Excellent condition
Provenance: Private UK collection; Lavelle Art Gallery, Clifden label on reverse
Description
A powerful and atmospheric original oil painting by Irish artist Tony McNally, depicting a traditional turf-cutting scene in the west of Ireland. The composition features a rural figure with donkey and woven turf baskets, offering a quietly observed and authentic portrayal of Irish working life. Rich in texture and cultural narrative, the painting is supplied in an ornate gilt frame and is ready to hang.
About the Artist
Born in Dublin in 1953, Tony McNally is an Irish painter renowned for his sensitive depictions of land, labour, and tradition. He studied botany at University College Dublin, completing a doctorate in peatland ecology, before later training at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin. Time spent living and painting in Northern Canada further shaped his affinity with remote landscapes. A fluent Irish speaker and advocate of Celtic heritage, McNally’s work focuses on the western seaboard of Ireland, portraying boglands, coastlines, donkeys, turf stacks, and working figures with dignity and restraint.
Estimated Date
Late 20th century
Provenance & Notes
From a private UK collection. Retains the original label from the respected Lavelle Art Gallery, Clifden, confirming gallery provenance. The artist has exhibited widely in solo and group shows, including exhibitions hosted by the Central Bank of Ireland, and his work has been sold through major Irish auction houses such as Morgan O’Driscoll, Dolan’s Art Auction House, and The SumGood Art Auction.
