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On one of their regular stays in Roundstone in the late 1960s visiting friends, the Trimbles,
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Campbell and Dillon met garda Martin Whelan in Connolly’s bar. A native of Ardara, Co.
Donegal, Whelan was a fluent Irish speaker who gave Campbell lessons in the language. In
the 1960s and 1970s the Campbell’s and Armstrong visited Ardara, staying at Frankie and
Mary Brennan’s B&B. They gave art classes in the local National School where Whelan’s
brother, Donal, was principal. Campbell was attracted to the people, music and the effects
of the ‘incredible light’
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on the landscape. At night-time, music sessions with local fiddlers
John Gallagher and Josie McHugh took place in the Green House Bar. During the day,
Campbell sketched areas around Gweebara and Gweedore with Whelan, who introduced
Campbell and Armstrong to Tom Kenny in Galway, where they had successful shows at the
Gallery from the mid-1970s.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Campbell’s preoccupation with historical ancient sites drew
him to places like Glendalough, Arklow, Clonmacnoise, the Burren, Co. Clare, and Grianán
an Aileach stone fort, Burt, Co. Donegal. His interest in Irish history and monuments such
as ‘Dun Aengus’ sought to evoke magic in Ireland’s past.
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Joan and Gary Trimble (sculptor) were regular visitors to Campbell’s flat in Waterloo Road, Dublin in the
1960s. Conversation with Joan Trimble 31 January 2014.
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Interview with Martin Whelan, Donegal, 9 April 2015.
fig.195: Maurice Dickinson, Madge Campbell
and Gary Trimble, Connemara, 1960’s
fig.196: George Campbell with Gary Trim-
ble’s bust of the artist, 1978
fig.197: Martin Whelan
fig.198: George Campbell in Roundstone, 1970’s