ABOUT DEIRDRE HAYES — IRISH LANDSCAPE & PORTRAIT ARTIST

Painting the quiet beauty of Ireland in oils.

Deirdre Hayes, Irish landscape and portrait artist, standing in a gallery in Dublin with her framed oil paintings on display.




I am an award-winning Irish landscape and portrait artist based in Dublin. I specialise in timeless portraits, atmospheric still lifes, and original Irish art inspired by the beauty of the Irish landscape. My work captures the unique light, changing weather, and quiet details that make Ireland so deeply inspiring.

My work has been recognised with multiple plein air awards, including First Place at the Dublin Plein Air Festival, as well as the People’s Choice Prize and Tutor’s Choice Award at Kinvara Plein Air (2025), and has been selected for the 196th Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition 2026.

As a portrait artist based in Dublin, I also create custom oil portraits for clients throughout Ireland – you can read more on my Portrait Commissions page.

Working outdoors and from life is at the heart my process. As a plein air artist, painting directly from life allows me to respond to the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere that make each moment feel alive. Whether it’s a landscape or a portrait, I try to evoke a sense of calm, softness, and connection through my work.

I accept commissions for both portraits and landscapes and enjoy working directly with collectors to create paintings that are personal and meaningful. If you’d like to discuss a commission or inquire about an artwork, feel free to get in touch.

For fellow artists, I’ve also created a printable Art Exhibition Kit to make shows and sales easier and more organised.

Thanks for stopping by!

If you’d like to know more, I’ve answered some common questions on my FAQ page.

You can learn more about my plein air work here.

Deirdre Hayes painting en plein air on a cliffside in Ireland, standing at her easel overlooking the sea and wild coastal grasses.

Awards

  • People’s Choice Award — Kinvara Plein Air Festival (2025, 2026)
  • Tutors’ Choice Award — Kinvara Plein Air Festival (2025)
  • 3rd Place — Russborough House Plein Air (2025)
  • 1st Place — Dublin Plein Air, Malahide (2022)

Exhibitions

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

  • May 25 – August 8, 2026 — 196th RHA Annual Exhibition, RHA, Dublin 2
  • July 2 – August 1, 2026 — Members’ Summer Exhibition, United Arts Club, Dublin 2
  • July 19 – August 31, 2026 — Plein Air Festival Exhibition, Arklow Arts Centre
  • July 31 – August 3, 2026 — Art in the Open Exhibition, Green Acres Gallery, Wexford
  • August 2026 — Castlegregory Arts Exhibition, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry

View my complete exhibition history →

My Castlegregory Greeting cards fearuring my paintings are now for sale at Spar Castlegregory, Co. Kerry

Appearances & Press

Deirdre Hayes painting plein air at Art in the Open Festival, featured in the Irish Independent



Pictured in the Irish Independent during Art in the Open Festival


Deirdre Hayes demonstrating plein air painting at Butler Gallery, Kilkenny


Plein Air painting demo at the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny (2025)

https://www.butlergallery.ie/whats-on/plein-air-demo-at-butler-gallery

Artist well interview Alan Clarke Deirdre hayes Louise newman denise kevany Siobhan hearaty


In this interview with Alan Clarke of ‘The Artist Well’, I give a studio tour alongside my studio mates, share my approach to painting, and discuss some of my favourite works. (2025)

Click on the here for a glimpse behind the scenes