Úna, in her Heyday! – Original Oil Painting

The Story Behind This Painting

For those of you that don't know, Úna Taaffe was a very colourful character, one of the great characters of Galway who would don dark clothes, pearls and trademark bright red lipstick. She was a natural beauty who was born into a wealthy merchant class family. For many years she ran a very lucrative business on Shop Street, which she often compared favourably to a neighbouring business, Brown Thomas (Moons). 

However, as she aged her life became increasingly eccentric, she counted her many stray dogs as family members who followed up and down the often packed streets, some snarling and barking so she would be heard before she was seen coming to the crowd walking up Shop Street. She loved and cared for the dogs and they were allowed into the shop often to the bemusement of the many tourists and customers.

Original Oil Painting.
Frame size: 77cm x 57cm x 4cm
Frame: Deep frame off white, solid wood
Canvas size: 70cm x 50cm x 3cm
Material: Oils on canvas.

Mounted Giclee Print of this painting available to purchase here

Note: Image 1 is zoomed in. Image 2 is in full size.