The Collie, The Cheviot and The Crouched Skeleton, Orla Barry

With close attention to rural knowledge, The Collie, The Cheviot and The Crouched Skeleton
considers the farm walk as a means of entering into relation with land, labour, memory and
community. The work reflects on the complexities of rural life at the edge of the city. It explores
how landscape is shaped by inheritance, lineage, survival, friendship, economic pressure and
the stories that pass between people.The artist's publication accompanied the exhibition The Collie, The Cheviot and The Crouched Skeleton by Orla Barry at Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre, from 10 July to 26 September 2026.
In 2024, Rua Red Director/Curator Maolíosa Boyle invited Orla Barry to create a new work in
response to the rural communities of South Dublin. Rua Red is situated at the foot of the Dublin
Mountains, with the fields of Bohernabreena visible from the building. These landscapes form
an important rural part of the county, yet sit in close proximity to the urban centre of Tallaght.
From the mountains, the town planners’ imprint is clearly visible, as Tallaght appears pressed up
against the hills.
Through this commission, Rua Red sought to open up new connections with the farming
communities of the area, creating space for conversation, exchange and interaction within the
gallery, its education programme and wider public context.

Published by Rua Red

Softcover
130 × 200 mm
68 pages