The luxurious five star Laois hotel, Ballyfin Demesne, has announced details of its upcoming artist-in-residency programme.

Following the success of its inaugural artist-in-residency programme with UK-based artist Andrew Gifford, Ballyfin Demesne is delighted to announce details of its Autumn Winter 2025 programme.

Developed in collaboration with two distinguished galleries – Oliver Sears Gallery in Dublin and John Martin Gallery in London – the residency will welcome a curated selection of accomplished artists to stay and work at Ballyfin Demesne, further enriching the estate’s artistic and cultural credentials.

Pictured: Ballyfin Demesne

Celebrated as one of Ireland’s most exceptional five-star experiences, Ballyfin Demesne is set within 614 acres of rolling parkland, formal gardens, and heritage architecture, which will provide a truly inspirational environment for artistic exploration.

The Autumn/Winter 2025 residencies will feature five distinguished artists:

Francis Hamel: August 17 to 19
Born in 1963 and trained at The Ruskin School, Oxford, Francis Hamel has lived and worked since 1997 in a studio beside the renowned William Kent gardens at Rousham, Oxfordshire.

The gardens and surrounding parkland have been a constant source of inspiration, reflected not only in his depictions of the landscape and monumental tree portraits, but also in his exploration of the deep connections between gardens and the wider landscape in which they exist.

Martin Finnin: September 7 to 9
Born in Limerick in 1968, Martin Finnin studied at Limerick School of Art and briefly at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin before moving to London. There, he worked on building sites while dedicating his spare time to drawing and studying at the National Gallery, where he developed a fascination with early Renaissance painting.

Donald Teskey: October 5 to 9
Born in Co. Limerick, Donald Teskey graduated from Limerick College of Art and Design with a Diploma in Fine Art in 1978. Since 1992, he has built a substantial body of work as a painter of land and seascapes, with the rugged beauty of Ireland’s western seaboard a central focus in recent years.

Hughie O’Donoghue: November 14 to 16
Born in Manchester in 1953 to an Irish mother, Hughie O’Donoghue spent much of his childhood in Co. Mayo. The stark landscapes and the enduring legacy of the Great Famine have profoundly influenced his work.

Sasha Sykes: December 1 to 4
Working between Dublin and Carlow, Sasha Sykes has a background in architecture and is renowned for her distinctive artworks and furniture pieces. Her work has been exhibited extensively in Ireland and abroad and is represented in many notable private and public collections.

Guests of Ballyfin Demesne will enjoy a rare opportunity to witness the creative process first-hand,with the chance to observe each artist at work and engage in informal conversations throughout their stay.

Ballyfin Demesne is renowned for its lavishness, and the hotel is now offering the chance to experience the 'Ballyfin Demesne Experience' for 24 hours.

From €1,570, two guests can share a classic room and avail of a warm welcome with champagne or freshly pressed juice, followed by a three course lunch. There is a daily guided history tour available to guests, followed by an unforgettable evening beginning with a pre-dinner drink and a Michelin-star candlelit dinner.

"Be immersed in the splendour of Ballyfin Demesne with this exclusive twenty-four-hour escape – the most luxurious way to experience everything this remarkable estate has to offer," Ballyfin Demesne has said.

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