Drogheda, 1921

Thomas Markey

b. 1885 - d. 1967

1921 Oil on canvas

Thomas Markey worked as a carpenter for the Corporation of Drogheda and was a self-taught artist. His Drogheda, 1921 is obviously based on Ricciardelli's View of Drogheda from Ball's Grove, but it brings the view up-to-date by including political elements in the townscape. The 'Black and Tans' (the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force) feature in Markey's painting. This was one of two paramilitary forces employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary from 1920 to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland by targeting Sinn Fein. Also depicted are military aeroplanes, noisily disturbing the classical idealistm of Ricciardelli's scene.

An oil landscape painting showing the entire town of Drogheda sitting on the banks of the river Boyne. In the immediate middle foreground are several soldiers having a discussion. In the middle-ground and middle background several military planes can be seen flying over the town.