Shambles artists at work in the heart of Athlone's west side

by David Flynn

After 13 years in Athlone's Excise Street, the artists at Shambles Art Studios are continuing to create, exhibit and support each another behind their studio walls.

There is a particular atmosphere in the old streets on the west side of Athlone, and the town’s history is never far from the surface. Within a short walk of Athlone Castle, Sean’s Bar, and the narrow streets of the old town, this group of six artists has established a place where creativity has flourished for well over a decade.

The term ‘shambles’ means a place where meat was butchered and/or sold, and the Shambles Art Studio exists in that vicinity, through the archway of Excise Street, where the entrance to the old shambles had been 200 years ago. According to historian Gearoid O’Brien, by 1821, there were no fewer than 21 local butchers operating in the Shambles.

Today the artists - Anne Marie Burke, Mark Grehan, Sean Guinan, Ann McGuinness, Catherine Rock and Lesley Wingfield - work independently there, each with their own distinctive style.

They are not a formal artistic collective producing work to a common brief, but individuals who have found considerable value in sharing a workplace, while encouraging one another.

The artists' work ranges across different forms of visual art, in colours of abstract painting or experimental approaches to landscape and water depictions. They are united by a commitment to their work and a shared desire to bring it to the attention of a wider public.

Ann McGuinness believes the location has been an important part of their story. “We’re pursuing our own individual ambitions here,” said Ann. “The studios of the Shambles are an addition to the character of the area.”

The studio itself, however, is about what happens inside as much as what surrounds it. Working at home might seem an attractive arrangement for an artist, but day-to-day distractions have a habit of creeping in.

“I’d readily find something else to occupy my time, rather than settle down to paint at home,” said Catherine Rock, laughing.

“Coming into the Shambles changed that. When you come in here, you just switch over, and you’re there, and you know there’s nothing else you can do. The process of making art is not always a matter of arriving with a definite plan.

“Sometimes you need to sit and think before deciding what direction to take. I never know what I’m going to do, and after a break from the studio, I might have to spend time considering my next move before getting to work with ink, acrylics or oils.”

The important thing for Catherine and the other artists is having somewhere that allows their ideas to develop.

Lesley Wingfield appreciates the companionship that comes with working alongside other artists.

“You are isolated in a way, working alone as an artist, whereas here you’ve got support, and it’s lovely,” said Lesley. “That support can be as simple as a cup of tea and a conversation after a long spell of concentration.”

The artists keep in touch with each other through a WhatsApp group, encouraging one another to come in on days when motivation might otherwise be lacking.

Anne Marie Burke finds that having shared studios is particularly valuable. As well the other artists, she previously had space at home to work, but it was not the same to her as having a separate environment in which to concentrate on her own creative work.

“It definitely helps me being here in the studios,” she said, referring both to the working environment and to the encouragement provided by her fellow artists.

Anne Marie said the benefits extend beyond companionship, and organising exhibitions requires considerable work, so working together as a group on that is very important.

“Publicity, posters, press releases and the practical arrangements involved in bringing an exhibition together can become a significant burden for an individual artist,” said Anne-Marie, who is a creator of abstract art.

Working as an artistic community allows the artists to share some of the responsibilities and draw on each other’s experiences. It also creates an opportunity to discuss their work, exchange ideas and find fresh ways forward when someone feels creatively stuck.

Mark Grehan, who has extensive experience of independent exhibition-making, too understands the demands of contemporary art practice. He has worked in studios for many years and regards the routine of attending one as an important part of his discipline.

“The studio provides a neutral space in which ideas can develop without distractions,” said Mark.

He highlights the shared ambitions of the artists, which he said is reflected in their exhibition history.

“Ann’s (McGuinness) work was selected for the Royal Academy's summer 2026 exhibition in London, which was a significant achievement,” Mark pointed out.

The Shambles artists respond to open call and independent exhibitions to showcase their work. Also this summer, Ann and Catherine’s artwork was selected for an exhibition in The Hague, organised with the involvement of the Hamilton Gallery in association with the Irish Embassy in the Netherlands to mark the beginning of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

Achievements like this underline the professional ambitions of the artists of the Shambles studios, as they continue to work at their own pace and in their own ways.

Their sources of inspiration are equally varied. Lesley is exploring ‘cyanotype’ - an historic photographic printing process that produces distinctive Prussian-blue images, as well as continuing her ongoing practice of portrait painting and narrative drawing.

Catherine and Anne-Marie work across abstract painting as well as other forms. Ann finds inspiration in words, including song lyrics, in which she sometimes finds images and visual possibilities.

The artists’ different approaches are part of what makes the studio interesting. They are not all trying to achieve the same thing, but they share a willingness to experiment, learn and continue working.

The Shambles has an Instagram page and the individual artists use their own social media to promote their work. Exhibitions provide another opportunity for members of the public to see what is being created behind the Shambles walls.

A pre-Christmas group exhibition, planned for 5pm this Friday, November 13, will offer one such opportunity. The one-night event is intended to bring together work by the artists, with a variety of pieces on display in the building.

The continuation of the studios over the 13 years has been a great achievement in itself and the artists have supported the venture independently. They hope the studios will continue to strengthen their place within Athlone’s cultural life, and they are always mindful of the late artist, Larry O’Neill, who was a well-loved member of the Shambles community.

In a part of Athlone shaped by centuries of trade, movement and community life, the Shambles Art Studios represent another chapter in the story of the old town.

The butchers’ quarter has given way to a different kind of activity, but it remains a place where people come together to work, exchange ideas and make things.

Excise Street has become the place for the six artists to do just that - to turn up, get to work, learn from one another, and keep creating.