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From 1965, George and Madge rented a house in Virginia, Co. Cavan, and became friendly
with a group of musicians – Patsy Cooke, Mickey Caldwell and Jimmy Fay. Regular music
sessions took place locally in McQuaid pub and Aileen McEvoy’s knitting factory, ‘Ramor
Rustics’. Others that played in the group were Paddy Canny, John Higgins, Tommy Reilly
and Paddy O’Donnell. The meetings led Campbell to embark on a series of paintings: ‘The
Musicians, Virginia No. 3’ and ‘The Tin Whistler’. Helen and Barry MacDonnell, owners of
The Park Hotel, supported Campbell. He was asked to officially launch the New Virginia Art
Group, with an exhibition, ‘Reflections’, encouraging local artists to paint. Campbell’s close
association with the McDonnells led to the artist completing a large glass relief work to hang
in the bar area of the hotel.
fig.186: George and Madge Campbell with Bar-
ry and Helen McDonnell in front of The Park
Hotel, Virginia
fig.187: Mickey Caldwell and Tommy Reilly,
Virginia, 1960’s
fig.188: George Campbell and
Patsy Cook, Virginia, 1960’s.
fig.189: Paddy McDonnell and
George Campbell, Virginia, 1960’s
fig.190: Mickey Caldwell and
George Campbell, Virginia, 1960’s