Richard Hearns | Article | Irish Independent

Mary O'Sullivan , Irish Independent , May 17, 2026

My favourite room:‘Being Middle Eastern is something I’ve always celebrated’ – inside artist Richard Hearns’ Burren home, which you can stay in too


Since becoming a full-time artist over 20 years ago, Richard Hearns has lived in many stunning places worldwide, but the Burren in Co Clare captivated both him and his wife Boo and they have created an oasis of calm, creativity and connection

 
  •  
    Artist Richard Hearns in the studio next to his home in The Burren. Behind him are paintings he is currently working on for his forthcoming exhibition in the Cadogan Gallery in London in September. Photo: Tony Gavin 
  •  
    Richard and Boo in their snug. The floors are polished concrete throughout the living areas. The sofa is from Ligne Roset. Photo: Tony Gavin 
  •  
    Richard and Boo in the kitchen designed by Arena Kitchens. Boo is a fantastic cook and sells her spice mixes and curries locally. She is also a wonderful gardener and plantswoman. She uses a ladder to reach the plants at ceiling height. The crab on the wall is a nod to her pet name Boo – which means crab. Her real name is Rapeepan. Photo: Tony Gavin 
  •  
    The dining table, bench and the light overhead were all designed by Gildas O Laoire. Photo: Tony Gavin 
  •  
    The couple’s beloved WheatenTerrier Noodles in the bedroom. The bed is from Ligne Roset. Photo: Tony Gavin 
  •  
    Wall spaces are used to display Richard’s paintings while the many windows allow for fantastic glimpses of the landscape. There is a plunge pool just outside this window. Photo: Tony Gavin 
  •  
    The olive tree just outside the front door of the cottage, which Richard and two other men planted with the aid of a tractor. It’s important to him as it’s a nod to his Lebanese origins. Photo: Tony Gavin 
 

The Burren is a stunning rock-like landscape dotted with a host of trees, including the hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, ash, holly and willow. But one tree unlikely to be found there is the olive tree, with the exception of one in the garden of artist Richard Hearns and his wife Boo.

Previous
|
Next
1 
of 396