Biography
Micheál McKeown was born in Dromiskin, Co. Louth. A mainly self-taught artist Micheál spent time studying portrait painting at The National College of Art and Design, Dublin. Micheál has been a full-time artist and sculptor since retiring from engineering in PJ Carrolls in 1993.
As a talented draftsman and surveyor Micheál has designed and overseen many self-build developments. Additionally, he has fulfilled a substantial number of bespoke refurbishments for pubs and hotels throughout the country over the past 40 years.
Micheál is a keen traditional musician and Gaeilgeor. He hand as spent a life-time fascinated with the history, folklore and beauty that surrounds us in Co. Louth. A talented tin whistler and skilled craftsman, in his earlier years Micheál enjoyed the traditional Irish music scene, during this time he handcrafted Uilleann pipes, many of which are hopefully still played today.
He has exhibited widely, both as a solo artist and as part of group exhibitions, and has taught art classes in DKIT and Ardee Community School. He has worked through a variety of media, including bronze, marble, limestone, wood, terracotta and stainless steel.
Micheál has been awarded a number of roadside sculpture commissions. In the locality,An Tarbh Donn known locally as “The Bull” is a ghostly depiction of the brown bull of Cooley, and can be seen guarding the town from the M1 on the Northbound lane at Balriggan townland.
Micheál’s local history knowledge also influenced his earlier work of An Táin, the stainless steel sculpture of Chu Chulainn who stands proudly on The Táin bridge, protecting the locals at another northern entry route to the town.
In Ardee another of Micheál’s stainless steel sculptures The Fallen Warrior provides a protective, yet sombre emotion on the entry to the town.
Micheál who has lived in Blackrock, Co. Louth since 1990, has recently completed a commission for a sculpture on the main street.
Micheál is also a published historian and draws extensively on his knowledge as inspiration for some of his work. His research on the Linn Duachaill Viking site at Annagassan preceded the archaeological dig in 2010 which was organised by himself, Dr.Mark Clinton and Dr.Eamonn P. Kelly former keeper of antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland.
Micheál received a postgraduate certificate from The National University of Ireland, Maynooth in 2014 and has completed extensive research into the history of Castle Roche and the de Verdon’s.
Examples of his work can be found in many public, corporate and private collections in Ireland, Europe, the UK and the USA including his most recent publication in Louth History and Society
On the regrettable date of December 21, 2023, Micheál bid farewell. His lifetime dedication to the arts, history, and culture has bequeathed a rich legacy. Passionate about his work until his last breath, he leaves behind a trove of well-documented research and countless artistic contributions, ensuring that his impact persists across the globe.