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About Michael

Michael was born in Dublin and now lives in Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland. He creates a great sense of place in his work, capturing the atmosphere of the Irish countryside the dramatic skies and seascapes. He studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, and the Burren College of Art in County Clare. He worked under Kenneth Webb, Trevor Geoghegan, Fergal Flanagan, James Flack, and John Hoar.
After a career in Banking Michael now devotes his time to painting from his studio and gallery in Lahinch, working in Watercolour, acrylics and oils. His big breakthrough came in 2010 when Michael was appointed by the Irish Government as the official artist for the historic Royal visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland. Three of his paintings hang in Buckingham Palace.
He was appointed Art Lecturer with Cunard International teaching watercolour painting on some of the worlds largest ocean liners.

Michael in Sydney during a trip as Art Lecturer on the Queen Elizabeth

A Royal Year to Remember

(Credit to Irish Independent 11th May 2011)

...Rembrandt, Carravaggio, Ruebens... And now Hanrahan!

Irish Artist Michael Hanrahan visited Buckingham Palace in London on August 10th to personally deliver his oil painting commemorating Queen Elizabeth's historic visit to Ireland. It will now be part of the Royal Collection which includes works by the old masters. "Its amongst many famous Paintings going back hundreds of years so its in good company", said Michael Hanrahan as he left the palace where the Queen's private Secretary and the Chief Clerk of the Palace held a special reception in honour of the visit.
Michael is now the only living Irish Artist with work in the Royal Collection.

ClareFM's recent interview with Michael on the 10th Anniversary of the Queen selecting his work to be displayed in Buckingham Palace

Click play below to listen to the interview from May 20th 2021

RTE Nationwide feature on Michael's work and a selection of his watercolours

A small selection of work - See the full gallery for more

Commissions

Awards

Official Artist for the European Tour at the 2019 Irish Open at Lahinch
Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace
Mary McAleese, President of Ireland
AIB Bank, Dublin
Castletown House, Celbridge 2007 supported by Kildare Co. Co.
Arts Council of Ireland, Office of Public Works
Kennedy Collection, Boston Massachusetts
Official Artist to Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland 2011
Artist to All Ireland Hurling final 2010
Artist to European Championship, Russia vs Ireland 2010

Winner of Irish National Outdoor Oil Painting Competition 2007

Residencies