West of the River Gallery opens in Athenry

Tucked away on Old Church Street in the medieval town of Athenry, West of the River Gallery is where great art meets great coffee and conversation. After travelling around Ireland, meeting artists and gathering inspiration, Kelly Carroll and her husband Liam opened West of the River Gallery with a simple goal: to encourage people to welcome art into their lives.

We had a pleasure speaking with Kelly Carroll about what her Art Gallery means to her and local communities

For the owner Kelly, art has always been about connection. With a background in Graphic Design, she was always keen to extend her creative side and bring an inviting gallery to the beautiful town of Athenry. She wanted the space to be welcoming, “A place where anyone can come in, enjoy a coffee, buy art, chat and maybe explore their creative side too”. And she's done just that!

Partnered with Soma Coffee, the cafe at the front of the space is the perfect invitation. A friendly entry point to a place that celebrates Irish creativity in all of its forms. Visitors can sip a flat white, browse an amazing collection of artwork or simply take a moment to rest. The gallery unfolds into distinct zones designed by Kelly and Liam - The Cafe, prints and curated design products, Main Gallery, Workshop room along with a peaceful garden. Each zone brings something new with it. All of the art is available for purchase.

Kelly’s curated collection commemorates Irish artists from across the country, featuring landscapes, abstracts, still life and scenes of Irish life. Each piece tells its own story. She hopes it inspires people to connect with and welcome art into their home, to see creativity as something for everyone.
West of The River Gallery is also a space to create. Pottery painting sessions are available to book online and ‘workshop weekends’ are held each month to nurture creativity and offer a mindful activity for people looking for something different. The cosy atmosphere is perfect for workshops, classes or simply catching up with friends or family. Whether you're popping in to add to your art collection or finding some ‘me time’, there’s something here for everyone.

“The response has been amazing” she smiles. “People keep saying Athenry needed a place like this and they're right. It's such a beautiful town".
West of the River Gallery is a blend of art, flavour and heart, turning Athenry into a destination not just to visit for a few hours but to stay much longer. So next time you're on the train or wandering through Galway's countryside, follow the flow of the Clarin River and stop by West of the River Gallery. A warm welcome, great cup of coffee and maybe even a spark of creativity awaits you.

To stay up to date on everything from West of the River Gallery, you can find their Instagram @westoftherivergallery & their website here

All photos courtesy of Nicole Anderson