Exhibition arrives in Donegal revealing colourful world of Casimir Markievicz - Donegal Daily

The name Markievicz is forever linked to one of Ireland’s most famous revolutionaries, Constance Markievicz, but what do we know about the colourful Polish arti...

The name Markievicz is forever linked to one of Ireland’s most famous revolutionaries, Constance Markievicz, but what do we know about the colourful Polish artist who was her husband?

Now, a fascinating new exhibition at Donegal County Museum is shining a light on the remarkable life of Casimir Markievicz, a painter, playwright and larger-than-life figure who helped shape Dublin’s artistic and cultural scene in the early 1900s.

Along with Constance, Casimir was central in establishing many of Dublin city’s key cultural venues, including the United Arts Club and the Municipal Gallery. An enthusiastic playwright and producer, Casimir’s plays were staged at the Abbey, Gaiety, and many other venues.

The panel exhibition brings together compelling examples of Casimir’s art along with photographs, drawn from major public and private collections in Ireland and Poland.

The exhibition explores links between Ireland, Poland, and Ukraine (where Casimir’s family lived) and the influence of Polish nationalism on Constance’s own political sensibilities.

It shares unique photographs of Ukraine’s lands and people taken by Constance, and paintings of its countryside made by both, from private family collections of Casimir Markievicz’s relatives in Poland.

Many of these have not been seen in Ireland for more than a century.

The touring exhibition Casimir Markievicz, A Polish Artist in Bohemian Dublin 1903-1913 was produced in concert with an art exhibition held in Dublin Castle in 2025, co-curated by Prof. Emily Mark-FitzGerald (UCD) and Dr Katy Milligan (NCAD)– a collaboration between the Office of Public Works and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin.

The exhibition forms part of the Donegal programme to celebrate Ireland’s EU Presidency.

For further information contact Donegal County Museum at 074 9124613; museum@donegalcoco.ie

At the launch of the touring exhibition “Casimir Markievicz, A Polish Artist in Bohemian Dublin 1903-1913” in the County Museum. L-R, Traolach O’Fionnain, Arts Officer, Donegal County Council, Artur Michalski, Ambassador Titulaire, Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Poland in Ireland, Cllr Pauric McGarvey, Mayor of Letterkenny, Judith McCarthy, Donegal County Museum, Cllr Donal Coyle. Photo Clive Wasson