Charles McAuley facts for kids

Charles McAuley (1910–1999) was a famous Irish painter. He was born on March 15, 1910, in a place called Lubatavish, near Cushendall. He was the youngest of eight children. His family had lived in the beautiful Glens of Antrim for many, many years.

Charles McAuley started painting when he was very young. He lived in a countryside area where farming was the main way people made a living. He became one of Ireland's most well-known painters of landscapes and people. His art is strongly connected to the Glens of Antrim.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

When Charles was a teenager, he met another artist named James Humbert Craig. James Humbert Craig was judging an art competition called Feis na nGleann. He saw Charles's early paintings and was very impressed. He told Charles, "You go ahead with this, and you'll do well." This encouragement was very important for Charles.

Charles McAuley's paintings showed the rivers, mountains, and sea around him. He also painted scenes of everyday life in the countryside. He briefly studied art at the Belfast School of Art and the Glasgow School of Art. However, he soon returned to his homeland. He loved the Glens of Antrim very much. He later became a member of important art groups, including the Royal Ulster Academy and the Royal Hibernian Academy.

A Special Collaboration

In 1984, Charles McAuley worked with his friend, the poet John Hewitt. They created a book called The Day of the Corncrake. This book was published by the Glens of Antrim Historical Society. It featured 25 colorful copies of Charles's paintings. These were paired with 30 poems about the Glens written by John Hewitt.

In the book's introduction, John Hewitt wrote about Charles. He said that Charles understood the Glens deeply. He was not just painting pictures. He was showing the true spirit of the place and its people. Hewitt called him a "true regional artist." This means Charles belonged to the Glens and found all his ideas there.

Love for His Homeland

In a TV film made in the 1980s, Charles McAuley talked about his life. He said he might have been more famous if he had moved away. But he also said he would not have been happier. He explained, "I've spent my boyhood and manhood in the Glens. . .and I have no desire to leave them until I die." This shows how much he loved his home.

Legacy and Family

Charles McAuley passed away on September 30, 1999. After his death, BBC NI described him as "one of Ireland's greatest colourists." They also called him a "true and modest gentleman."

The Irish Times newspaper wrote about him too. They said Charles McAuley could have been called "the artist of 'the Glens'." This was because his deep knowledge of the landscape and people made his art special. But they also noted that he was a humble person. He would never have boasted about himself.

Charles McAuley was also the uncle of some well-known people. His nephews, Tony McAuley and Roisin McAuley, were broadcasters and writers for BBC Northern Ireland.

Many of Charles McAuley's paintings are owned by private collectors around the world. You can also find some of his works in public collections. For example, some of his paintings are at the Ulster Museum and Queen's University Belfast.