Poland in Ireland

In Ireland, the name ‘Markievicz’ immediately conjures the figure of Constance Markievicz, Irish revolutionary heroine. This travelling panel exhibition explores the artistic life and work of her Polish husband, Casimir Markievicz (1874- 1932) – painter, playwright, and larger-than-life personality – and his place in Dublin’s bohemian circles on the eve of the Revolution. Although a lesser-known figure today, in early 20th century Dublin Casimir was at the heart of artistic Dublin. His contemporaries included W.B. Yeats, George Russell (AE), William Orpen, Hugh Lane, and Beatrice Elvery. Along with Constance, Casimir was central in establishing many of the 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 exhibition was officially launched in the Royal Irish Academy on 14^th January 2026. It will be on display in the Academy until the end of February. For more info o opening times etc. go to:   https://www.ria.ie/events/casimir-markievicz-a-polish-artist-in-bohemian-dublin-1903-1913/

The panel exhibition brings together compelling examples of Casimir’s art along with artefacts and photographs, drawn from major public and private collections in Ireland and Poland, bringing Casimir back into the frame of Dublin on the eve of Revolution.

These include works from the National Gallery of Ireland, National Library of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, Office of Public Works, Hugh Lane Gallery, Crawford Gallery, The Model in Sligo, and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland; as well as from private collections including Lissadell House, United Arts Club, and Sir Josslyn Gore-Booth. The exhibition also 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.

This panel exhibition was produced in concert with an art exhibition held in Dublin Castle, May - September 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.