The Royal Hibernian Academy filled up quickly with painters and viewers, all champing at the bit to see the latest edition of A Buyer's Guide to Irish Art. Jane Humphries, editor of the guide, said it was "aimed at the novice buyer", and that "the number one rule in buying art is to simply buy what appeals to you personally" .
Art critic and writer Bruce Arnold launched the publication, pointing out that "the vibrant centre of all activity is still the marketplace, and the most important people remain the private collectors".
Emerging artist SinΘad Fox, from Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, was there with her brother, Brendan Fox. Josephine Mann- ion, from Howth, Co Dublin, "a physiotherapist who craves to be an artist", as she said, also put in an appearance. Bernadette Murphy, of Magil Fine Art on Bachelor's Walk, brought along her art-loving friends, Brenda Carden and Melanie O'Regan. Also present was George Stacpoole, president of the Irish Antique Dealers Association, and chairman of the Hunt Museum, which will shortly be preparing for a major retrospective (in June) of Cybill Connolly's work as a designer and artist.
Anne and Adrian Farrelly, from Kells, Co Meath, who are both hypnotherapists, they said, came along too. No, they do not use swinging pendulums any more, they confirmed. It's all about neuro- linguistic programming these days.
Peter Fitzgerald, the artist who is editor of Circa, and artist Margaret Corcoran, brought their daughter, Georgia Corcoran (12), with them. Fitzgerald's latest work is currently on view at the Crawford Gallery, entitled "Rachel, Rachel". It comprises a trolley with 96 trays, each one revealing a different painting.