A portrait of All-Ireland championship winning hurler, Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin, has been unveiled in the National Gallery of Ireland. The painting, by Tipperary born artist, Gerry Davis, was commissioned by the National Gallery of Ireland as part of the Hennessy Portrait Prize 2016.
Davis’ oil on canvas painting is the most recent addition to the National Portrait Collection and will be on display to the public from Thursday June 15th, when the Gallery reopens its refurbished historic wings on Merrion Square.
Shefflin is the most decorated player in the history of hurling. Over a sixteen-year period playing for Kilkenny, he has won a record 10 All-Ireland medals, 13 Leinster championship medals and 6 National Hurling League titles. A winner of 11 All-Star awards, he is also top championship points-scorer of all time.
“We are delighted to add this wonderful portrait of one of Ireland’s greatest hurling legends to the National Portrait Collection which has its new home in the refurbished wings of the Gallery”, says Sean Rainbird, director of the National Gallery of Ireland at its unveiling.
Now in its fourth year, the Hennessy Portrait Prize is awarded to an artist who is a resident of Ireland or an Irish citizen living abroad, chosen by a panel of judges. The aim of the competition is to showcase and encourage interest in contemporary portraiture. The winning artist receives a prize of €15,000 and a commission worth €5,000 to produce a portrait of an Irish sitter for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection.