A local art student has scooped top prize in an all-Ireland art competition, and landed a placement at one of Europe’s most respected galleries.
Mary McCaffrey (nee Mulligan), originally from Dromod, was judged the  unanimous winner of the inaugural Commercial Finance Ireland’s ‘Art of Nurture’ competition.
In addition to a personal financial reward of €4,500, and a matched amount for her University faculty, the University of Ulster, Mary was also awarded a placement at the Hugh Lane , Dublin - one of Europe’s most respected galleries.
Mary was inspired by the energy and dynamism of her six-year-old son Sean, whom she says always informs her practice. 
All 15 finalists in this new student art competition exhibited their submissions to the business community, media and guests from the art world at a special awards ceremony at Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery last month.
Tony Duffy, Managing Director of Commercial Finance Ireland said; “The challenge for the students was to create a visual representation of an aspect of the skills and expertise Commercial Finance Ireland brings to the corporate finance market such as growth, cultivation, innovation and support.

Thrilled
Mary said: “I cannot believe that I have won the competition and the opportunity, not only of a placement at the gallery, but to be a part of a campaign that targets the business community.  The standard of work that was on show was incredible and I am absolutely thrilled. Most of us are planning to earn a living from a discipline about which we are passionate, so being commercially aware is hugely important to us all.
“I’m really excited about the prospect of being in the UK finals; it’s a real honour to be representing Ireland in such a prestigious event.  I would like to thank all my tutors at the University of Ulster especially Mark Ainsworth for their encouragement and support.”