Art is the gift that lasts forever.

Long after the wrapping paper is in the bin and the Christmas tree has been dismantled for another year, a special print or painting sits quietly on the wall through every season, looking better and better with every glance.

There’s another benefit to buying art; choose a local piece and your cash will help keep Cork’s creative community afloat after a very challenging year.

Even better; there is a print out there to suit every budget, whether you’re going all out on something special for your collection or you want to surprise someone with something fabulous in the post.

Here, in no particular order, are 18 of our very favourite Cork artists to check out:

1. WILLIAM MURRAY

He’s a man of many talents, is William. The Currabinny food company founder and chef, who grew up in Carrigaline, has just launched a new website where you can purchase his beautiful hand-drawn prints celebrating the male form in all its glory from a very reasonable €20.

Shop the collection at williammurrayart.com/shop

2. LAURA WADE

Like many a West Cork local, Laura’s surroundings at her home in Leap inspire and shape her creative process. Intrigued “by sighing silhouettes and quiet places” her pieces are deeply imbued with a sense of mystery and wonder.

You can shop her final collection before Christmas from November 22nd, 2020 at laurawadeartist.com

3. STEPHEN DOYLE

Stephen Doyle graduated from Crawford College of Art in 2017 and is currently based in Backwater Studios in Cork, Ireland. His work, inspired by queer culture, received a major boost this year when he was awarded the Visual Art Bursary Award by Arts Council Ireland.

A limited number of his pieces are available from €600 at sofinearteditions.com

4. LUCIA MORENO MONTERO

Lucia Moreno Montero’s characterful style is unmistakable. Her adorable ‘Pure Irish Essentials’ kit made us laugh, then made us run out and fill a basket with Barry’s Tea, Brennan’s Bread and Beamish and don’t miss her brilliantly quirky Cork Stickers selection (€6) featuring Shandon, a pint of Murphy’s and an ‘I will yeah’.

Check out the latest prints from €18 on Etsy.

5. CAOIMHE HEANEY

Caoimhe Heaney is a fine art photographer and artist based in Cork. Her ethereal prints are thoughtful and magical. We think this one, ‘In for a Dip’, would make a perfect gift for a sea swimmer.

You can order prints from €20 at Facebook.com/caoimheheaneyphotography

6. SAUCY PUPS

Illustrator Susan Mulcahy’s bold prints are pure joy (and who couldn’t use a bit of that this year?). You can get a bundle of feel-good greeting cards for €18, with wall art and prints from €25.

Shop Susan’s latest work, launching on Friday, November 20th at saucypups.com

7. MARIO BALDARELLA

You’ll have seen his work on the walls at Cork Coffee Roasters and now you can secure a piece by Sicilian born, Cork based artist Mario Baldarella for your own wall at home. We love this one and it’s gorgeous title: ‘The extraordinary sunset at The Lough of August 2020’ (€85).

Shop prints and original pieces at baldarella.com

8. KERRY COLLINS

A graduate of Crawford College of Art and Design, painter Kerry Collins is currently visiting the Ukraine, working with maestro Artem Rogowoi. She has a studio and gallery in Glengarriff, but you can now shop her prints from €30 via her online shop.

Check out this print ‘Wheeee’ (€30) and many more at kerrycollinsart.com

9. SEBASTIAN THOMMEN 

Even if you haven’t been home in years, Sebastian Thommen’s dreamlike watercolours will bring you right back to Cork’s winding streets, hills and quays, from Douglas Street to Saint Luke’s and back again.

Browse his prints (from €40) at sebastianthommen.com

10. VADGE OF HONOUR

You just never know when you might need a vagina-shaped incense burner or a perky plant pot or two. Vadge of Honour, run by Cork artist Sarah Hegarty, makes a variety of lovely feminist-friendly prints and items. Tote bags and mugs are available now.

Browse the latest additions at vadgeofhonourshop.com

11. YELLOW LION STUDIO

Remember heading out for cocktails in a buzzing bar? Those nights are on hold for now, but you can still raise a toast to better days with a cute cocktail illustration by Niamh from Cork’s Yellow Lion Studio.

Browse the range (from €10.99) on Etsy here.

12. JOHN FLYNN 

An Irish symbol of fertility, life and death, Sheela na Gigs are stone carvings that can be found at ancient sites all over Ireland. Once considered obscene by the church, we’re quite partial to an ‘ole Sheela around the place and this etching by Cork artist John Flynn is a perfect choice.

Order a Sheela na Gig print, €30 from johnflynnartanddesigns.bigcartel.com

13. JACK COLLINS

From fine art giclée prints of some of Cork’s finest bars to his sell-out ‘Still Dreamin’ Still Beamin’ Beamish totes and tees, Jack’s got it all sewn up in terms of creative gifts for people who miss their local pub.

You can order online here: cackjollins.com/shop

14. ÉADAOIN GLYNN

Éadaoin Glynn is a self-taught abstract artist who works from her attic studio in Douglas. Her bold and beautiful paintings are in collections worldwide, but you can own your very own print by ordering from her shop.

‘The Music of the Wind, But I Am Just A Feather In It is available from eadaoinglynn.com

15. DEIRDRE BREEN

You can’t miss Deirdre Breen’s latest colourful mural on Wandesford Quay. Her practice “explores the boundary between art and design, and compositional principles common to both”. They also look super cheery on the wall.

You can order a Deirdre Breen original (from €150) from deirdre-breen.com and sofinearteditions.com

16. SHANE O’DRISCOLL

Shane O’ Driscoll’s work has been exhibited all over the globe, from New York to Australia, with a number of pieces in the collection of Irish Office of Public Works. His latest mural has transformed Cork’s Harley Street into a living gallery as part of the Ardú street-art initiative.

Shane O’Driscoll, Bingo Was His Name: €280 from graphicstudiodublin.com

17. EMMA O’HARA

This Wexford-born, Cork-based printmaker takes inspiration from everyday encounters with landscape, architecture and the urban environment. Her Cork prints sell out fast so keep checking her website for new additions.

This piece ‘Comes And Goes Like A Wave’ is €170 from emmaohara.com

18. CORA MURPHY

Irish weather has a vibe and landscape painter Cora Murphy has a magical talent for committing it to canvas. Her paintings capture the very essence of Ireland, in all its wild, wet and rainy glory.

You can order Cora’s prints and original art at coramurphy.com