Like the other great religious movements that preceeded it on this island the Celtic Church left its own distinctive mark on the landscape. For that alone we are indebted to it. Now the stone buildings and monuments of that once-flourishing and energetic church of hermits, teachers, healers, artists, poets and philosophers, missionaries and visionaries blend in with the monuments of their direct predecessors the Druids and their followers.

In 1987, Fitzpatrick was commissioned by Gerry Murphy, then marketing manager for Bank of Ireland (now a good friend), to produce a calendar of early Irish antiquities titled 'Celtic Heritage'. Despite some formidable opposition, Murphy managed to push the idea through ; "We lost our phallic symbol I'm afraid Jim. They didn't seem too enamoured with your stone penis" - he was referring to my painting of a well known standing stone in Gallen, Co.Kerry. I produced a series of six landscape paintings for their 1987 calendar, which was hugely successful - they couldn't keep them in stock. I have continued to work on this series over the last decade and I aim to extend it to at least twenty four works, then I'll call it a day. It is something that I have always wanted to do and it was great to be given a financial kickstart for this project. Besides, it gives me the opportunity to draw my favourite furry animals and feathered friends.

My latest work -unpublished to date and exclusive to this site - depicts Dun Guaire Castle in Co. Galway. Check it out."