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Painting by a young child of a figure wearing an orange hat and wearing green swimming goggles. They are swimming in a blue sea on a sunny day with three clouds in the sky.
Fiadh O'Neill, Swimming in the Sea. © Fiadh O'Neill. Photo, National Gallery of Ireland.

Fiadh O'Neill

Swimming in the Sea, 2026

Age 6

Paint, pencil, dried flowers, and gems on paper

‘The portrait is about me going swimming because I love swimming. I have flowers in my hair that we pressed from a trip to the park. I have pink dye in my hair and diamond earrings because I like sparkly things. I’m wearing a special necklace. I have water in my goggles which means I’ve done lots of swimming. I’m in the sea on a sunny day and that makes me feel happy.’

Ag Snámh san Fharraige, 2026

Aois 6
Péint, peann luaidhe, bláthanna triomaithe agus geamanna ar pháipéar

‘Tá an phortráid seo bunaithe ormsa ag snámh. Is breá liom dul ag snámh. Tá bláthanna i mo ghruaig a thriomaigh muid i ndiaidh dúinn cuairt a thabhairt ar an bpáirc. Tá dath bándearg ar mo ghruaig agus tá fáinní cluaise diamaint á gcaitheamh agam. Taitníonn rudaí lonracha liom. Tá muince speisialta á caitheamh agam. Tá uisce i mo ghloiní snámha rud a chiallaíonn go bhfuil go leor ama caite agam ag snámh. Tá mé san fharraige agus tá an ghrian ag taitneamh. Tá mé sona sásta.’

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