Dundalk-born artist Fionnuala Collins (27) is causing quite a stir in south west Kerry. First, her enormous replica of Botticelli's Venus - compete with pint of Guinness in hand - provoked lively debate in Waterville, where its diaphanous curves adorn the gable end of a restaurant.

Then she began asking locals to pose for a series of portraits. She met with some reluctance, until Noelle Campbell-Sharpe, who runs the Cill Rialaig art project in nearby Dun Geagan, talked some of them round.

Now Fionnuala, who settled at the Cill Rialaig art colony for the summer, proudly exhibits her series of portraits in Tig Rosie, Dun Geagan. They show, in broad brushstrokes, the planes and gnarls and creases in the handsome faces of the older Ballinskelligs menfolk.

One, Michael Kirby, is the 95-year-old seanchai and author of the beautiful memoir Skelligside and other books about the Skelligs. Another, an outrageously popular and colourful character by the name of Mikey Murphy, has just passed away, and Fionnuala's portrait is his memorial.

Faces of Iveragh runs at Tig Rosie in Dun Geagan until mid-September. Call 066-9479297 for details.