Festival schedule

10:00 am	The Festival starts at 09:30am. Tent will be set up in front of Hope Castle. If the weather is wet, registration will instead take place in the building opposite Castleblayney Library, immediately inside the main entrance gates.
10:00 am - 1:00 pm	Kieran Guckian workshop. Location TBA on the day.
4:30 pm	Display of work and prize giving. Location TBA on the day.

Useful information

What to bring

As you get ready for your plein air adventure, here’s a quick checklist to help you make the most of your day:

Painting essentials: Easel (lightweight or box-style), prepped boards/canvases, paints (oils, acrylics or watercolours), brushes, palette knives, mixing surface, mediums/solvents (sealed), rags/tissues, water container (if needed)
Weather gear for unpredictable Monaghan weather: Sun hat, waterproof jacket, warm layers, comfortable shoes, umbrella or easel cover
Comfort items: Folding chair/stool, snacks, water, wet painting carrier or drying rack, sunscreen, bug spray
Extras: Sketchbook and pencils for studies

Carpark

There is plenty of free parking available at Lough Muckno. We recommend parking either:

Castleblayney Library
https://maps.google.com/?q=Castleblayney+Library
Hope Castle
https://maps.google.com/?q=Hope+Castle+Castleblayney

Both locations are just a short walk from the registration point.

Food and drink

A coffee van will be located beside the bridge throughout the day, serving hot drinks and snacks. Please note that the coffee van accepts cash and Revolut only.

If you're planning to buy lunch, Castleblayney town centre is just a five-minute walk away, with a number of cafés and restaurants. We particularly recommend West Street. There is also a Centra directly across the road if you would prefer to pick up sandwiches, snacks or drinks. For coffee and something sweet, Crafty is a short walk from the festival entrance and serves coffee, sweet treats, and also showcases local art and crafts. If you're looking for something later in the day, The Old Coach Inn offers traditional pub food and a relaxed setting.

If you're bringing your own lunch, you'll find plenty of picnic tables, benches and green spaces around Lough Muckno where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings.

FAQ

Plein air painting is the practice of creating artwork outdoors, directly from life, capturing the light, atmosphere, and beauty of a scene in real time.

Not at all! The festival welcomes everyone—artists, art lovers, families, and anyone curious about the creative process.

About us

Monaghan Plein Air is an annual painting festival held every August, attracting artists from all corners of the country. Our mission is to showcase the breathtaking beauty of County Monaghan and foster a love for plein air painting. We welcome everyone, from seasoned professionals to those eager to try painting outdoors for the first time.

This is our third year running the Monaghan plein air and it has been a pleasure showcasing some of our most beautiful spot in Monaghan Inniskeen in 2024, Hilton Park in 2025 and Lough Muckno in 2026.