Kildare venue to host exhibition confronting addiction in small-town Ireland

A County Kildare venue will host an exhibition this weekend — one which confronts the complex issue of addiction in small-town Ireland.

'The Hawk Against the Dove', a collaboration between Antoinette Foley and James Mahon, promises to offer "an unflinching portrait" of addiction, resilience, and redemption in rural Ireland. 

According to the organisers of the event: "Once associated primarily with urban centres, drug addiction has increasingly taken root in small towns and rural communities. 

"'The Hawk Against the Dove' traces this shift through the lived experience of Antoinette Foley, whose personal journey lays bare the often-invisible cost of substance abuse in towns like Athy."

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Born into a Traveller family, Antoinette’s life spiralled following teenage love, heartbreak, and the trauma of family separation.

Her descent into addiction is chronicled from the streets of Athy to the banks of the River Barrow.

And yet, according to the organisers: "At the heart of this story is not only pain, but a fragile, persistent hope — the memory of the girl she once was, and the future she still dares to imagine."

They further said: "Blending documentary insight with poetic reflection, 'The Hawk Against the Dove' is both a personal and political statement.

"It confronts the weight of judgment placed on women, Travellers, and addicts, while affirming the power of storytelling as a path to healing and change.

"This timely and resonant work invites audiences to bear witness — not only to struggle, but to survival."

All are welcome to the opening of the exhibition, which will also feature Athy photographer John Minihan in attendance.

For further details on 'The Hawk Against the Dove', contact Anthony Haughey, Director of Art House Athy, by email at haughey.anthony@gmail.com or via Instagram & Facebook: art.house.athy.2025

'The Hawk Against The Dove' will take premiere at the Art House Athy, on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 3.30pm. 

The exhibition is supported by Kildare County Council Arts Service and Creative Places Athy. 

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).

For further information related to seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, please contact the HSE's confidential drugs and alcohol freephone helpline on 1800 459 459, from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm, or email helpline@hse.ie.

You can also visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/.