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Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), today opened a new exhibition entitled “Wandering Methods, Explorations of Slow Craft” in Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin 14.

Speaking at the exhibition Minister Hayes said: “The Office of Public Works is pleased to be working in partnership with the Bealtaine Festival and Craftspace UK to bring this wonderful exhibition to one of our most important historic properties.  The exhibition aims to mix historical references with contemporary stories to bring new relevance and meaning to a familiar place.”

The Minister continued: “Wandering Methods is an exhibition of craft work inspired by the Castle, and created by a group of people living in the Rathfarnham area, who will work, over the coming months, with two artists, Linda Florence and Maeve Clancy.  The group will learn craft skills from the two artists, as well as delve into the history of the Castle building and their associations and histories of the Rathfarnham area.  The Castle is a rich site to mine for memory, narrative and story.  The project is interpreting these into imaginative, innovative contemporary visual art and craft and presenting it for wider public participation and engagement. The shared creative process will animate this wonderful historic building, exploring the layering of time history and heritage. An exhibition of what is emerging will then be exhibited here in the Castle.”

The Minister concluded: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this exhibition to Rathfarnham Castle.  This exhibition will run in tandem with the Berkeley Toy and Costume exhibition which many of you will have already seen and enjoyed. Rathfarnham Castle is undergoing a number of transformations this year, both to the interior of the Castle and to the grounds. It is hoped that the Castle will be used next year during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, offering, as it does, excellent facilities in a picturesque setting.”

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Note for Editors:- The Exhibition will run from 23rd May and is free to the public.  The opening times of Rathfarnham Castle are Tuesday to Friday from 10:30am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. The Stuart and Chambers tearooms are open from 10:00am to 5pm.  Please note that certain areas of the Castle are not suitable for people with limited mobility.  For further information check 

and/or call the Castle directly on 01-4939462.

For further information or if you wish to interview Minister of State Hayes please contact Kevin Kennedy, OPW Press Office at 01 6476159 or 087 9303888 or