Dublin Painting and Sketching Club Returns to the Dublin Port Substation to Celebrate 151st Anniversary with Shorelines II
23 May 2025
Following the success of last year’s Shorelines exhibition, the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club (DPSC) returns to the Dublin Port Substation at with Shorelines II, to celebrate the sea, the city, and the spaces where they meet.
Featuring entirely new work created for this exhibition, it continues the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club’s artistic exploration of Dublin’s maritime landscape, first launched with Shorelines in 2024. While the theme remains consistent, this year’s artworks offer fresh perspectives and approaches, reflecting the evolving relationship between Dublin Port and the artists who observe it. This year’s exhibition marks the Club’s 151st anniversary and continues its partnership with Dublin Port Company.
Shorelines II runs from May 23 to June 5 at the Dublin Port Substation, Alexandra Road, Dublin Port. It is open to the public from 11am–4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and admission is free.
The exhibition builds on the momentum of Shorelines in 2024, reaffirming the Club’s historic link with maritime subjects and its contemporary relevance in interpreting Dublin’s coastal landscape. Today, the DPSC’s 80-strong membership continues to nurture a wide variety of artistic practices, united by a shared appreciation for observational art rooted in place.
Among the works on show are compelling scenes from Dublin Bay, ports, and harbours, capturing the light, motion, and atmosphere of the maritime environment. These pieces offer both personal reflections and collective insights into the city’s ever-changing relationship with the sea.
History of the DPSC
Founded in 1874 by renowned maritime artists Dr William Booth Pearsall FRCSI and Alexander Williams RHA, the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club has counted Nathaniel Hone, John Butler Yeats, and Bram Stoker among its members. An etching by Pearsall, exhibited in 1880, is recognised as the first original artwork etching made in Ireland, depicting a tall ship moored at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.
In the late 19th century, Club members often took to the Iris, a shallow-draft yacht owned by George Prescott, to sketch and paint the Poolbeg Peninsula in all weathers – a tradition of on-site observation that continues today.
Maritime Subjects Today
Shorelines II, supported by Dublin Port Company, reflects the DPSC’s long-standing engagement with maritime life, while also highlighting the vitality of traditional artistic practice in contemporary Dublin. It forms part of the Port’s “Port-City Integration programme”, which aims to bring the Port and the City closer together through culture, education, and public access.
Minister of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Jim O’Callaghan TD said; “Shorelines II is an exhibition that is unique and superbly curated by the Heritage Programme of Dublin Port Company and members of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club reflecting Dublin’s special coastline. It was a pleasure to officially open Shorelines II and I know the exhibition will be a huge success.
“Dublin’s coastline is internationally recognised as one of Ireland’s most unique attractions and Shorelines II is a fitting testament to this. I congratulate the many painters, sketch artists and print makers exhibiting in Shorelines II from the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club.”
Darragh Treacy, President of DPSC commented; “We are delighted to present Shorelines II in the Dublin Port Substation, with the valued support of Dublin Port Company. This exhibition, in its second year, celebrates the maritime heritage of the Dublin coastline that inspires the artists of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club.”
Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director, said: “The threshold between the city and the sea has always been a fascinating subject for painters and artists, and the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club has featured some of the original visual storytellers of Dublin’s life as a Port-City. In the year of the club’s 151th anniversary, it is really important for us to bring this selection of maritime-inspired works to the Dublin Port Substation, our new interpretive space which aims to open the Port to the public.”
This exhibition is part of the growing cultural calendar at the Substation, Dublin Port’s public venue for exhibitions, events, lectures and performances. It follows past successes such as The Bridges of Dublin, a collaboration with Fergal McCarthy curated by The Little Museum of Dublin, and Cycling the Country, a partnership with the National Museum of Ireland.
The Dublin Port Substation is part of Dublin Port’s Distributed Museum, which includes The Diving Bell on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and The Pumphouse, a venue for artist residencies and workshops in Dublin Port’s Heritage Zone. The Museum route will be connected through 5.3km of dedicated cycleway and pedestrian walkways in the Port estate and the surrounding area. These projects are all part of Dublin Port’s “Port-City Integration programme” to increase public access and celebrate Dublin’s Port-City heritage.