A new artistic installation has been unveiled at the Navan Centre, as renowned Armagh born artist JB (Brian) Vallely’s paintings are now on permanent display within the centre. The installation features a series of prints from a recent JB Vallely work, alongside additional images created by the Council’s design team using detailed elements drawn from the original paintings, which are displayed around the centre’s central atrium.
The collection brings to life the legendary Ulster Cycle, vividly depicting the heroic tales that have been told and retold across Ireland for generations. Visitors can experience powerful visual interpretations of iconic stories, including the naming of Cú Chulainn, Queen Medb and the epic Cattle Raid of Cooley, the tragic battle between Cú Chulainn and his childhood friend Ferdiad, and the poignant tale of Deirdre of the Sorrows and the Sons of Uisneach.
Navan Fort, known in Irish as Emain Macha, holds deep historical and mythological significance as the ancient seat of the Kings of Ulster and the home of the legendary hero Cú Chulainn. It was here that King Conor Mac Nessa, High King of Ulster, ruled and featured prominently in the Ulster Cycle stories now captured in Vallely’s work.
Welcoming the installation, the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Mary O’Dowd, said:
“We are delighted to see Brian Vallely’s iconic work on permanent display at the Navan Centre. These powerful paintings bring the stories of the Ulster Cycle vividly to life, helping visitors of all ages connect with our rich cultural heritage in a meaningful and engaging way. Navan is a place of immense historical and mythological importance, and we invite visitors to come and explore the wide range of experiences and events on offer throughout the year.”
Born in Armagh in 1941, JB Vallely is an Irish painter whose career spans almost seven decades, beginning with his first exhibited work in 1958 while attending evening art classes at Armagh Technical College. His work reflects a sustained commitment to painting, a deep engagement with Irish identity and mythology, and a career shaped by both strong local roots and international experience. Vallely’s practice bridges tradition and modernity, combining a distinct personal vision with rich cultural narrative, establishing him as a significant figure in contemporary Irish art.
JB (Brian) Vallely, local artist commented:
“I have always been obsessed with the stories that make up the Ulster Cycle – the ‘Irish Iliad’ – which has been compared to Homer’s Iliad due to its grand scale, focus on heroic warfare, and divine interventions which I first heard from my father who taught me in Primary School in Blundells Grange. He often recounted these stories, and they made an indelible impression on me which I never lost. Later when I came to read these stories I realised, I already knew them and from the late 1950s onwards, after I went to Art College in Belfast, I began making paintings inspired by these amazing stories. The collection of prints displayed here are from a fairly recent series of paintings, and the images surrounding the central atrium of the centre have been created by the Councils design team.”
Navan Fort continues to welcome visitors offering an immersive experience into Ireland’s ancient past through guided tours, interpretive exhibitions and interactive storytelling. Alongside its historical and mythological significance, the site also hosts a vibrant summer programme of events, including family-friendly activities, re-enactments, workshops and cultural experiences designed to bring the stories of Emain Macha to life.
Find out what’s on at Navan Centre & Fort here.
