Róisín Tinneny

L-R Maggie Saunders, Róisín and her mother Eibhlin. Photo from South Belfast Times 

The following article by Paul Ainsworth with the above photo were published in the South Belfast News April 15, 2012.

“A SOUTH Belfast student has scooped a prestigious award for her art coursework, which is on display at the Ulster Museum.

Former Aquinas pupil Róisín Tinneny, who now studies at the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, has totaled an impressive three awards for her A-Level work, and recently received the “Most Promising” award from the Association of Art and Design Education.

Gifted Róisín’s coursework was already declared the joint best by exam board CCEA, while the Arts Society of Ulster offered her an official Highly Commended certificate.

The work that landed her the latest plaudit was an exploration of the demise of the human body, comprising of a painted and sewn portrait of west Belfast priest, the late Fr Paddy O’Donnell.

Titled ‘The Disappearing Portrait’, the work is on display in the Ulster Museum as part of the CCEA’s True Colours exhibition, showcasing the best A-Level work from across the North.

Speaking of her latest recognition,  Róisín said: “I’m delighted to receive such an accolade, it’s very special and means a lot to me. I must also give credit to the high quality of teaching in Aquinas’ Art Department, as they encouraged my skills from Year 8.”

Aquinas Art teacher Patricia Cunningham added: “We’re all very proud of Róisín, she’s a terrific student whose creativity, talent and dedication are exceptional. Her concepts are sensitively developed into original final pieces of first-class quality.”

Photo:  Róisín working on the painting of Fr. Fr Paddy O’Donnell presently on display at the Ulster Museum in Northern Ireland.

Here Róisín  is recognized for  receiving the “Most Promising candidate at A2 level” by AADE at the opening of the CCEA “true colours” exhibition on Thursday 12^th January 2012.

Photo courtesy of Róisín Tinneny

She was presented with the award for “Joint Top Candidate” at A2 level art and design by highly acclaimed artist, Colin Davidson (pictured above with  Róisín at the exhibition). She was awarded full marks at both AS and A2 level art and design.

 Róisín is the great-granddaughter of James Tinneny and Margaret Kenna of Belturbet, Co. Cavan, Ireland and the daughter of John and Eibhlin Tinneny of Belfast, Northern Ireland.