1. Celebrating St. Patrick's Day: Medieval
Irish Art
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. People around the world celebrate this
day in different ways, from eating Irish-themed meals to attending parades to
listening to traditional Irish music. Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is to
check out masterpieces of Irish art.
Some of the best known Irish art in history is from the medieval period. Medieval
Irish art includes a great deal of beautiful metalwork, such as the famous Tara
Brooch. This ring-shaped brooch reflects medieval Irish culture through its depiction
of animal and abstract motifs. It is crafted in fine filigree with interlace patterns,
which is common in medieval Irish art. Remarkably, it is decorated on both the front
and back. The Tara Brooch can be viewed today in Ireland, at the National Museum
of Ireland.
Another medieval masterpiece from Ireland is an elaborately decorated manuscript
called The Book of Kells. This illuminated manuscript contains the four Gospels of the
Bible’s New Testament and other texts, illustrated with ornate motifs including
figures of humans, animals, and mythical beasts, as well as Celtic knots and
interlacing patterns in vibrant colors. The Book of Kells one of Ireland’s greatest
cultural treasures. It can be viewed in Dublin at the Trinity College Library.
Stone High Crosses are also well-known works of medieval Irish art, found at most
Irish monastic sites. The 18-foot tall Muiredach’s High Cross is considered the best
example of these famed crosses. It has depictions of the Crucifixion and Last
Judgement of Jesus Christ centrally located on it, with other Biblical scenes up and
down the shaft and panels of interlace on the sides as well. Muiredach’s High

2. Cross can be viewed today in the monastic ruins of Monasterboice, in County Louth,
Ireland.
If you have an opportunity to visit Ireland, the Tara Brooch, The Book of
Kells, and Muiredach’s High Cross are excellent masterpieces to enjoy. If you are not
travelling to the Emerald Isle any time soon, you can still check out Irish art works
online through virtual tours.
Art from the Streets is an Austin, Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that
was established in 1991 to provide a location for artists experiencing homelessness
to practice their artistic skills and create and share their love of art. Art from the
Streets (AFTS) provides opportunities for the artists to display and sell their art
online and via other projects and partnerships, including the AFTS Annual Art Show
& Sale. AFTS is a volunteer-run program that provides a safe and encouraging
environment where the positive spirit and creativity of homeless people is nurtured
through artistic expression. If you would like more information about the Art from
the Streets program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the organization at any
time. If you would like more information about AFTS, including ways to become a
part of the organization’s volunteer family or to make a donation to the
organization, contact the Art From the Streets team online or by visiting our new
home since September 2021 within the Canopy community of creatives in East
Austin.