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I was told that the centre’s director back in the 1990s had taken the photos, added the quotes, and had them framed for the guest bedrooms.

Manresa House is a Jesuit Centre in North Dublin, and before closing for a big refurbishment in the summer of 2022, were clearing out their guest bedrooms. In each bedroom was a framed photograph with a quote from a psalm, and rather than throw them all away, Manresa offered the pictures to visitors and retreat guests.

My friends, who had attended the final retreat before the refurbishment, came back with three pictures of shaded woods, a rose, and mountains, and offered me one to keep. I chose the mountain landscape.

The text reads:

He covers the heavens with clouds
Prepares rain for the earth
Makes grass grow on the fields
(Psalm 147:8)

I chose this picture because I’d recently moved to the west and had a couple of months of heavy rain. It’s no secret that it rains more in the west, and I know we need the rain – but it had rained every day and I was getting miserable. Now I had been given a reminder of the importance of the rain and the life it brings, and it came at exactly the right time.

I needed to remember that without the rain there would be no rivers, no lakes or turloughs. Without the lakes and turloughs there would be no Whooper Swans, who arrive in great numbers from Iceland for the winter.

“The bell-beat of their wings above my head”
WB Yeats, Wild Swans at Coole

The frame looks its age, but that’s one of the things I really like about it. It reminds me of where it came from, who made it, and where it lived before it came to my house. It has its own history. How many retreat guests have seen the image or meditated on the words?

An old or vintage frame can have a historical or cultural significance that adds emotional value to a piece. Old frames give a sense of authenticity to the artwork that they enclose, because it’s an essential part of the artwork’s history.

The frame is an essential part of displaying and preserving any piece of artwork. Whether it is a painting, a print, or a photograph with a psalm, the frame will enhance the beauty of the artwork and protect it. Restoring your old frames will ensure the authenticity, historical value, and cultural significance of your artwork is maintained. Commissioning a new frame will provide customization, protection, and a modern style.

Restore your old frames – or create new and beautiful mementoes – with Hot Metal Frames.

I love flying from Shannon Airport. It’s where you’ll find Sheridan’s Bar – the home of the Irish Coffee, and the Aviation Gallery, a large collection of model airplanes and dioramas from a donation by Michael Kelly.

And the art collection at the airport is fantastic. In 2015, a permanent exhibition opened in the departure lounge, displaying photographs of visiting dignitaries at the airport taken in the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s, from the time when Shannon was a transatlantic stop.

In the space between the departure lounge and gate seven, is a triptych of paintings by artist Charles O’Donovan. Each picture is about 2 metres tall by 1.5 metres wide. When I first walked by the pictures, they looked abstract. On a closer look, I could see seascapes, sky, and coastlines.

I was stunned by the huge frames, which looked less like fine art framing and more like furniture. It was hard to get a photo that showed their full size. They’re held up to the wall with chains.

With large pictures it’s important to use high-quality wood and hardware to ensure the frame holds up over time and support the weight of the artwork.

There are several factors to consider before selecting a frame, for example, the size of the artwork, the style and mood of the artwork, and the surroundings. Ideally, the frame will complement and enhance the artwork without overwhelming it. That’s where the expertise of the framer comes in.

Your framer is both a craftsman and an artist. They will guide you through this process and build you a lasting frame.

But it’s not just size and style that need to be considered. There’s also matters of conservation and budget:

• Conservation: If the artwork is valuable, it is essential to choose a frame that will protect it from environmental factors like sunlight, humidity, dust, and even from people, if it’s displayed in public. Conservation-grade frames have a UV protective glass, acid-free matting, and backing, which will ensure the artwork’s longevity.
• Budget: The budget is an important consideration for every customer. The cost of a frame will depend on the materials, size, style, and quality. Investing in a frame with high-quality materials and construction can add value to the artwork.
• Frame your art, from small to extra-large, with Hot Metal Frames. Call 085 252 7063
• any time to set up an appointment.

Neary’s is a perfect pub. One of the best in Dublin! It’s just off Grafton Street so it’s usually busy, but I usually find a table.

The tables are snug and cosy, and the rooms have mirrors and a height to make it feel spacious. The seating is upholstered in green and red, and the furnishings are gold. The left side of the bar is decorated with portraits of stars from the nearby Gaiety Theatre. In December I had a Christmas pint just under this painting of Maureen Potter, and next to the portrait of Jimmy O’Dea: both beloved performers of their time, as well as familiar faces at Neary’s, which famously backs onto the Gaiety’s stage door.

I noticed as I sat under the pictures, that the frames were unusual, they’re made of light wood and pale linen. At first, I thought it was an unexpected choice: I don’t expect to see fabric as part of a frame. But it works so well. The frames, illuminated from above, highlight the brightness in the pictures, and keep the actors in their spotlights.

These frames serve as a visual bridge between the portraits and their surroundings, and bring the personalities of the actors back into the pub.

Framing is a crucial aspect of displaying and preserving art, and it requires careful consideration and attention to detail. By choosing the correct frame and using the right materials, you can have a beautiful and personalized frame that enhances the beauty and longevity of your art.

Find a frame to suit your home with the help of Hot Metal Frames. Call 085 252 7063 any time to set up an appointment.