Transforming History into Couture Fine Art for a Storied Irish Castle
The Client
Belleek Castle, a historic hotel and museum in County Mayo, Ireland, approached us with a desire to create something truly unique for its interiors — art that could reflect its legacy, charm its guests, and bring new life to its stories.
The Challenge
Belleek is no ordinary hotel. It’s a place where pirate queens, naval legends, and gothic ghosts live alongside medieval swords, fossilised relics, and a bar built from shipwreck wood.
But how do you turn all of that rich history into a visual language that feels both modern and meaningful — without resorting to clichés?
The Castle’s interiors are traditionally masculine and dramatic. The client wanted something softer, more romantic, and distinctively creative — art that would stand out, but still belong.
Our Approach
We began by asking:
What if Belleek’s stories could pose for a portrait?
Step 1: Discover the Narrative
We worked closely with the Doran family to explore the Castle’s historical artefacts, legends, and personal memories. From Marshall Doran’s shark-infested naval survival, to the ghost of the Gray Lady, to the family’s own colourful characters — the stories were as rich as the setting.
Step 2: Create the Mythology
We translated those stories into 30 character portraits — each one represented by a bird species that matched the mood, symbolism, or personality. The characters included:
- A Black Swan Pirate Queen (Grace O’Malley)
- A Cockatoo Musketeer (Paul Doran, the Chevalier)
- A Quetzal in Frida Kahlo fashion (Ana)
- A Magpie Treasure Keeper
- A White Stork Slavic Duchess
- And many more — each styled in fashion inspired by Belleek’s museum relics
Step 3: Design the Art
Using high-end fashion photography references, historic costume design, and surreal composition techniques, we built each portrait with:
- Waist-up, editorial-style framing
- Haute couture fashion referencing Belleek’s artefacts
- A consistent salmon pink studio backdrop for warmth and femininity
- Anthropomorphic birds — poised, regal, and character-driven
The end result was a luxurious, unified art series that feels like a fashion house collided with a folktale — all rooted in the Castle’s identity.
The Outcome
The Belleek Castle Beasts series now exists as a collection of limited-edition framed prints. They’re displayed like noble portraits — museum-like, modern, and completely unique to Belleek.
Guests pause. They ask questions. They remember the characters.
The art tells a story — and that story becomes part of the experience of staying there.
Why It Works
- It’s bespoke — made only for that place
- It blends art, history, humour, and beauty
- It gives guests a reason to slow down and look closer
- It transforms walls into talking points
- It’s sharable, stylish, and completely on-brand
Could This Work in Your Space?
If you’re a hotel, designer, or estate owner looking to:
- Bring your story to life through art
- Commission something timeless and unusual
- Add emotional or narrative depth to your interiors
…then we’d love to help.
This is what we do.
