Irish artist and Ennis native Harry Guinane is best known for his people and animal portraits & murals. On completing his secondary education, Harry was awarded a V.E.C. Scholarship to the Limerick College of Art and Design.
While still in college, he was able to pursue his passion for African wildlife by doing summer vacation work at the Dublin Zoo. This led to the production of a series of wildlife lithograph prints entitled “Wild Target,” three of which were purchased by the Arts Council of Ireland in 1981. Kerry and Carlow County Libraries later added copies of his work to their respective collections. In 1982 Harry received first prize of a Waterford Glass Centrepiece, in the Respond National Art Competition.
In 1983, after graduating as a teacher of Art, he taught at Castleknock College, Dublin. This was followed by another posting teaching Art and Irish at the Education Unit, Limerick Prison.
He was offered an overseas teaching contract to Africa in 1992 and was employed by the Ministry of Education in Botswana for fourteen years. Over the years he has undertaken many private commissions. His work is represented in private collections in his native Ireland and other European countries, as well as in USA, Tanzania, Botswana and India.
In 2005 he got married in India. Both he and his wife Meena, who is a Science and Computer teacher, were awarded permanent residence status in Botswana in the same year. In 2006 they returned to Ennis, Co. Clare where they currently reside with their son Seán.
- For Bio-Diversity Day 2010 – Commissioned by Clare Co. Council to demonstrate his wildlife illustration skills for member of the public, at Lees Road Wildlife Reserve, Ennis.
- 2011 Awarded 1st Prize in the Credit Union National Art Awards.
Harry produces portraits, murals, illustrations, religious statue restoration on a commission basis for private and commercial sources.