CLICK HERE to watch our Ennis National School Video
Home > Class Life > Third Class

Class Life

Mick O Dea – Ennis Artist

Posted in Third Class on 8 May 2026

Powerpoint- The-Art-of-Mick-O’Dea

Worksheet- Ennis-Artist-Mick-O’Dea

Michael D. Higgins by Mick O’Dea

Michael D. Higgins and Catherine Connolly by Janatt Hossain

Mick O’Dea – Irish Artist Biography Comprehension

Meet the Artist: Mick O’Dea

Mick O’Dea is a famous Irish artist who was born in 1958 in the town of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. From a young age, Mick loved drawing and painting. He enjoyed observing people, places and everyday life around him. His interest in art continued to grow as he became older.

Mick studied art at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Later, he continued his studies in England at Winchester School of Art. During his years of learning, he practised many different styles of drawing and painting. He worked hard to improve his skills and become a professional artist.

Mick O’Dea is best known for his portraits. A portrait is a picture of a person. He paints people from all walks of life including musicians, travellers, workers, family members and people living in local communities. His portraits often show strong emotions and tell stories about the lives of the people he paints.

One of the special things about Mick’s artwork is the detail he includes in faces and expressions. He carefully studies the shape of a person’s face, the lines around their eyes and the way they sit or stand. This helps him create paintings that feel realistic and full of personality.

Mick has travelled to many places to find inspiration for his art. He has painted in Ireland, Europe and Africa. Sometimes he creates large paintings outdoors, while at other times he works quietly in his studio. He often sketches people before beginning a final painting.

As well as painting, Mick O’Dea has taught art to students. He believes art is important because it helps people express feelings, ideas and stories. His artwork has been shown in galleries and exhibitions across Ireland and other countries.

Mick’s paintings often celebrate ordinary people and everyday moments. He wants viewers to look carefully at people and notice their uniqueness. Through his portraits, he shows respect and kindness towards the people he paints.

Today, Mick O’Dea is recognised as one of Ireland’s important contemporary artists. His work continues to inspire young artists to observe the world closely and create meaningful art.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Where was Mick O’Dea born?
  2. What did Mick enjoy doing when he was young?
  3. Which college did Mick attend in Dublin?
  4. Where did he continue his studies after Dublin?
  5. What type of artwork is Mick best known for?
  6. What is a portrait?
  7. Name two types of people Mick paints.
  8. What does Mick carefully study when painting faces?
  9. Why do his portraits feel realistic?
  10. Name two places where Mick has travelled for inspiration.
  11. What does Mick sometimes do before starting a final painting?
  12. Besides painting, what other work has Mick done?
  13. Why does Mick believe art is important?
  14. Where has Mick’s artwork been shown?
  15. What do Mick’s paintings often celebrate?
  16. What does Mick want viewers to notice about people?
  17. How does Mick show respect to the people he paints?
  18. What kind of artist is Mick O’Dea considered today?
  19. What can young artists learn from Mick’s work?
  20. Would you like to paint portraits like Mick O’Dea? Explain your answer.

Answer Key

  1. Ennis, County Clare, Ireland.
  2. Drawing and painting.
  3. National College of Art and Design.
  4. Winchester School of Art in England.
  5. Portraits.
  6. A picture of a person.
  7. Musicians, travellers, workers, family members or local people.
  8. Faces, expressions, eyes, lines and posture.
  9. Because of the careful detail and expressions he paints.
  10. Ireland, Europe or Africa.
  11. He sketches people.
  12. Teaching art.
  13. Because it helps people express feelings, ideas and stories.
  14. In galleries and exhibitions in Ireland and other countries.
  15. Ordinary people and everyday moments.
  16. Their uniqueness.
  17. By painting them carefully and thoughtfully.
  18. An important contemporary Irish artist.
  19. To observe the world closely and create meaningful art.
  20. Teacher may accept suitable personal responses.

 

Creative Art Activities Inspired by Mick O’Dea

  1. Expressive Portrait Drawing

Children draw a portrait of a classmate using pencils or charcoal. Encourage them to focus on facial expressions and details like eyes, smiles and hairstyles.

 

  1. Community Portrait Collage

Students create portraits using coloured paper, magazines and fabric scraps. The finished portraits can be displayed together as a “Community Gallery”.

 

  1. Storytelling Through Portraits

 

Children paint a portrait of someone important in their lives and add objects or backgrounds that tell a story about that person’s hobbies, work or personality.

 

  1. Outdoor Sketching Walk

Take students outdoors with sketchbooks to observe and draw people, buildings or scenes from everyday life, just as Mick O’Dea often observed the world around him.

 

  1. Large Group Portrait Mural

As a class, create a large mural filled with portraits of students, teachers or community members using paint, markers and collage materials.

 

 

 

 

 

Back