Ahead of International Women’s Day, Jameson Whiskey NI and UsFolk unite for a one-of-a-kind collab. Enter Barrel Folk—a celebration of some of NI’s best bars through hand-painted whiskey barrels. Nine talented local artists tell the story of nine iconic bars through their art.
“My barrel inspiration for the Deer’s Head is based on the Traditional Irish music nights they have. It’s a really big part of what they do, and with the design I wanted to celebrate traditional Irish music which I also really love, but especially of women performing traditional Irish music ahead of International Women’s day and the contribution women have made to traditional Irish music. I wanted it to be fun and colourful, and on the top, I included a little music bar which is the first line of a traditional Irish reel so I’ll be interested to see if anybody can recognise what the song is.” – Fiona McDowell
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“I love Barrel Folk, it’s been so nice to get away from my I-pad for once and do something tactile.” – Jacky Sheridan
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“There are three generations of the family for Charlies Bar and they are celebrating 80 years in business. This was the inspiration for my barrel and I liked the idea of Irish Oak symbolising taking the business from a tiny seed into a very solid community presence. – ” Lauren O’Neill
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“It’s so nice to be surrounded by so many other female artists and to be inspired by their work.” – Maeve O’Connor
Jacky Sheridan (Sunflower Bar, Belfast) Tara O’Brien (The Second Fiddle, Belfast) Aoife Dooley (Thirsty Goat, Belfast) Lauren O’Neill (Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen) Holly Pereira (Haymarket, Belfast) Martina Scott (Laughlin’s, Derry) Fiona McDonnell (The Deer’s Head, Belfast)
Guest illustrators: Maeve Aisling O’Connor (The Taphouse, Magherafelt) Leanne McWilliam’s (Kiwi Brew Bar, Portrush)
The barrels will be on display at Sole.lo Belfast on 6th March from 6pm as part of a special International Women’s Day exhibition coinciding with Late Night Art in Belfast city centre this Thursday. Stop by for a Jameson, ginger and lime and barrel load of craic.
