Boyne bridges influence on John Ryan exhibition

A large and busy crowd turned out to the opening of 'Bridges on the Boyne', an exhibition by artist John Ryan at The House of Art, Bective Church. The exhibition features over 50 paintings of the River Boyne, ranging in price from €150 to €3,500.

The Boyne rises in Carberry in Co Kildare and flows under more than 30 bridges the first of which is a single arch bridge in Edenderry. On its course the river comes across many interesting features in this historical and mystical landscape.

The Viaduct at Longwood was the first of many paintings to be snapped up by enthusiastic buyers in the frenzy. At Longwood the Boyne passes under the Grand Canal. The aqueduct is a rare and splendid feature build in the 18th century and running parallel to it is the Longwood Viaduct. At Trim, the river flows under Old Bridge, the oldest bridge on the Boyne which was built in 1393. It passes the Yellow Steeple and King John’s Castle built in 1210 that was featured in Mel Gibson’s film ‘Braveheart’ before it comes to the ruins of St John's Priory at Newtown at which point the Boyne flows under Marcie's Bridge. Further downriver, Bective Bridge with its 12 arches was recently the backdrop in a scene from the film ‘The Last Duel’ starring Matt Damon and Ben Afleck.

Bective features strongly in this exhibition being the home of the artist who lives in Bective Church on the Trim-Navan Road, the venue for the exhibitio, with his wife Kinga Michalak. Paintings of Bective Abbey and Mill also Bective House can be viewed at the exhibition. Another feature at Bective is the bridge over the River Clady just before it enters the Boyne. It was once on the main Trim/Navan Road before it was re-routed around Bective Estate by the then landlord Richard Bolton, an ancestor of Lady Diana Spencer.

At Asigh, George’s Bridge is called after the famous horseman and master of the Tara Harriers for a record 72 seasons. George Briscoe purchased the bridge thus saving it from destruction when the railway line was closed.

In Navan, the Boyne meets the Blackwater at Flowerhill Bridge, before flowing on to Stackallen and then through Slane Bridge with its 13 arches built in 1774.

In Drogheda the Boyne passes under seven bridges, the final one being the Boyne Viaduct before it enters the sea at Mornington.

The exhibition runs through to 7th January. Viewing from 12 noon to 4pm each day or by appointment. Telephone 085 120 2452; email thehouseofart21@gmail.com www.johnmmc.com