Supporting the arts in Ireland

Ballymore continued its longstanding support of the Irish art scene this week, proudly donating and presenting the first prize for the Sir William Orpen 'Ready to Start' awards ceremony in Dublin. 

Inspired by the works of the renowned Irish artist Sir William Orpen, the Ready to Start Awards celebrated the talents of artists from across Ireland, each challenged to create a self-portrait reflecting a defining moment in their artistic journey. The competition attracted 256 entries from all over the country, with 36 finalists exhibited at the ceremony – giving a truly inspiring backdrop for guests immersed in the creative atmosphere.  

Ballymore's founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Sean Mulryan, along with his wife Bernardine Mulryan, donated the event's first prize and attended the ceremony to present the award. Reflecting on the evening, Sean commented: "We were delighted to support this wonderful event, meet the artists, and witness the incredible variety of portraits on display. Bernardine and I are passionate about supporting artistic projects, which play such a vital role in enriching our communities while celebrating local talent, which was present here in abundance." 

The ceremony, held at The Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan, was orchestrated by Dominic Lee of Priory Studios, who Sean and Bernardine had supported last year by donating a painting for an exhibition he curated at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park which attracted over 10,000 visitors in 2024 (Dominic also manages SirWilliamOrpen.com). The title of the awards was inspired by one of Orpen's most prominent works, Ready to Start – a self-portrait of the artist in military uniform when he was appointed an official war artist during WWI. 

Speaking about Ballymore's involvement, Dominic added: "Having the support of Ballymore, a successful and prominent family business rooted in Ireland, has been incredible for the profile of our event. Sean and Bernardine's generosity encouraged 256 artists to take part, with a selection of their works showcased on the night. A highlight of the evening was a moving speech by Dr Neil Orpen, a descendant of Sir William Orpen which added a poignant touch to the proceedings."  

Sean Mulryan concludes: "At Ballymore, investing in cultural enrichment is a key part of our mission. Artists have a unique ability to bring a sense of identity to a place, and we're dedicated to creating opportunities to showcase their work wherever we can.  

"Representing the cultural interests of our neighbourhoods is as important as the infrastructure itself, and we're incredibly proud of the projects we've supported so far - and those still to come."