Exhibition explores art created in Donegal by one of America’s most popular painters

A fascinating new exhibition explores how a famous American artist was inspired by a remote Donegal valley which led to him confronting his own government in a legal battle.

2026 marks the centenary of Rockwell Kent’s visit to the remote valley of Glenlough in south-west Donegal.

The exhibition, Rockwell Kent, An American Artist in Donegal has opened in Donegal County Museum to mark the anniversary of Kent’s visit to the valley where he stayed for the summer creating a series of artworks which remain some of the most significant artistic responses to the Donegal landscape.

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Many of the artworks created that summer are now in private collections outside of Ireland. The exhibition, which forms part of the programme of the Earagail Arts Festival, includes two of Kent’s Donegal artworks. Through text, images and objects, the exhibition explores his extraordinary life and particularly the art created during his time spent in Donegal.

During the 1920s and 30s, Kent was among the most saleable artists in America. He travelled to remote locations around the world to live and work among the locals.

In 1926, Kent and his wife Frances travelled to Ireland where he immersed himself in the life of the sheep farmers and fishermen around Gleann Cholm Cille.

In the early 1950s at the height of the Cold War, Kent arranged with Dan Ward to buy Glenlough, but the US State Department refused him a visa to travel due to their view of his political leanings.

In a landmark case, Kent fought his country for the right to travel, taking the case to the Supreme Court. After winning his case in June 1958, he returned to Donegal on his final visit.

The free exhibition will run throughout July and August.