Portrait of Brian Cowen finally hung in Leinster House
The portrait of former taoiseach Brian Cowen in Leinster House. Picture: Office Public Works
An official portrait of former taoiseach Brian Cowen has finally been hung in Leinster House after years of delay.
The portrait, which places the former Fianna Fáil leader in a standing position against the backdrop of a Leinster House corridor, was hung on Friday, more than a decade after he left office.
Visitors to Leinster House can visit the portrait gallery of former taoisigh on the landing opposite the main doors into the Dáil chamber. Before now, the most recent portrait of Bertie Ahern was unveiled in 2011, which Mr Cowen's painting now hangs directly beside.
It is understood the Department of An Taoiseach first approached Mr Cowen, who served as taoiseach between May 2008 and March 2011, about sitting for the portrait back in 2017.
Artist Blaise Smith was eventually awarded the €12,000 commission to paint Mr Cowen.
Mr Smith, who lives in Co Kilkenny, is an award-winning member of the RHA, and has been described as one of Ireland's leading Figurative painters.
The painting briefly went on display at the RHA (Royal Hibernian Academy) last year, before making its way to its permanent home this week.
It comes after a portrait of former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald was recently damaged after it fell off the wall in Leinster House.
However, the picture by artist Derek Hill RHA, has since been restored and rehung, after the incident in August.
