The Liffey Swim Collection

This print was made as part of our 2019 celebration of the 100th Liffey Swim. We collaborated with some of our favourite illustrators to mark the iconic event.

4 layer hand-pulled screen print
500 x 500mm / on 285gsm Context Birch paper, edition of 100, signed and numbered by artist.

About the Piece
”I went back to the early 19th century and reflected that vintage in the central character, how one may have looked back then when preparing to take the plunge into the capital's river. The city buildings in the background are a mixture of old and modern and represent a tradition throughout the times. The colour layers are purposely offset embracing the screen print medium. The mermaid tattoo contains the initials R & K…a secret dedication to someone special.”

About the Artist
For the past twenty years Peter has been working as an award winning freelance illustrator. Over this time he has developed a very recognisable style influenced by a love for mid century design, folk art and vintage print. Peter's work is used extensively throughout advertising and branding as well as being a successful children's book author and illustrator.

Shipping and Returns
This poster is sold unframed securely packaged in a cardboard tube. For full information on shipping and returns, click here. Please note colours may vary between computer screens.

This print was made as part of our 2019 celebration of the 100th Liffey Swim. We collaborated with some of our favourite illustrators to mark the iconic event.

4 layer hand-pulled screen print
500 x 500mm / on 285gsm Context Birch paper, edition of 100, signed and numbered by artist.

About the Piece
”This piece was inspired by the the spirit of an article by an anonymous writer titled ‘Story of the Liffey Swim - (By One of the Competitors)’ printed in the Evening Telegraph in 24 July 1920, just days after the inaugural Liffey Swim.

"Research is also at the heart of a lot of my work. I really enjoy discovering historical accounts, especially for the authenticity of detail in the observations, the antiquated turn of phrase and the feel of a bygone era. This article dealt with everything from the fear of not finishing the race, to the multitude who came to view it ‘on foot and on all kinds of vehicles’, right down to the analysis of the Liffey water, to see if it was fit enough for swimming in!

"I like to weave both type and image together in my work. I collect and sample old letterpress fonts, particularly those that have managed to escape digitisation. I was also keen on making sure that details like the tram advertisements were of the time and that the swim suits of the era were accurate.

"The writer of this article himself wasn’t too far off the mark when he predicted that ‘... the Liffey swims of the future will be looked forward to with intense interest by the people of Dublin.’ “

About the Artist
Alan is an Irish visual artist and author who works mostly in illustration, comics, graphic printmaking, paper craft, and motion graphics. He is passionate about all aspects of the graphic arts and is hugely interested in vernacular design and uncovering stories through cultural historical archives. This is reflected in his heavily researched and considered comics, heritage-based commissions and through re-appropriation of vernacular typography and graphic aesthetics in his work.

Shipping and Returns
This poster is sold unframed securely packaged in a cardboard tube. For full information on shipping and returns, click here. Please note colours may vary between computer screens.

This print was made as part of our 2019 celebration of the 100th Liffey Swim. We collaborated with some of our favourite illustrators to mark the iconic event.

About the Piece
It's not entirely clear what my heron has just fished out of the Liffey. Is it a fish or is it a rat? I walk the quays every day on my way into work and I can't believe people are actually going to take their clothes off and jump into that river! I'll be down there cheering them on. Delighted to be contributing a piece of artwork to the 100th anniversary of what is such a quintessential Dublin thing.

About the Artist
Annie Atkins is a designer specialising in period filmmaking, having created graphic props and set-pieces for four Oscar-nominated films: the animated feature The Boxtrolls, Spielberg’s Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies, and Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs and The Grand Budapest Hotel—the latter which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Production Design. Originally from Wales, Annie has lived in Dublin for twelve years and works from her studio on Merrion Square. 

Shipping and Returns
This poster is sold unframed securely packaged in a cardboard tube. For full information on shipping and returns, click here. Please note colours may vary between computer screens.

This print was made as part of our 2019 celebration of the 100th Liffey Swim. We collaborated with some of our favourite illustrators to mark the iconic event.

3 colour hand-pulled screen print
500 x 500mm / on 285gsm Context Birch paper, edition of 100, signed and numbered by artist.

About the Piece
”With our print we are trying to illustrate the feeling of moving through the water. With Dublin as a backdrop we are focusing in on the Liffey swimmer,  capturing the energy and the thrill of the race.” 

About the Artist
M&E are Matthew Bolger and Emelie Lidström, an Irish/Swedish design studio based in Malmö & Dublin. They work in the fields of graphic and product design, photography, illustration and film. Known for their colourful work, love of process and unconventional approach, M&E moves between designing for cultural institutions and within the music industry, to branding and concept development.

Shipping and Returns
This poster is sold unframed securely packaged in a cardboard tube. For full information on shipping and returns, click here. Please note colours may vary between computer screens.

This print was made as part of our 2019 celebration of the 100th Liffey Swim. We collaborated with some of our favourite illustrators to mark the iconic event.

5 layer hand-pulled screen print
500 x 500mm / on 285gsm Context Birch paper, edition of 100, signed and numbered by artist.

About the Piece
"Coming from a family of swimmers, I wanted this piece to reflect an up-close perspective of the experience of the Liffey Swim. I asked family members who have completed the swim on a number of occasions about their experiences on the river, and wanted to capture the perspective of the swimmer, immersed in green, passing under Dublin's iconic bridges, all kicking and pulling to become the one to win Dublin's most iconic swimming race.

I tried to rely on the aesthetic qualities and unique process of screen printing for this piece, choosing a green backdrop for vivid white ink and bold blocks of colour to stand out and show the swimmers emerging from the murky Liffey waters."

About the Artist
Conor is an illustrator and print addict, whose tactile work celebrates the aesthetic qualities of screen printing and risograph.

Shipping and Returns
This poster is sold unframed securely packaged in a cardboard tube. For full information on shipping and returns, click here. Please note colours may vary between computer screens.

This print was made as part of our 2019 celebration of the 100th Liffey Swim. We collaborated with some of our favourite illustrators to mark the iconic event.

3 colour hand-pulled screen print
500 x 500mm / on 285gsm Context Birch paper, edition of 100, signed and numbered by artist.

About the Piece
Steve is proud to donate all profits from this piece to Epilepsy Ireland in memory of Liane Deasy who sadly passed away in 2017. Steve was inspired by Liane’s Husband Mark Earley and his passion and positivity in remembering Liane. Both had a deep connection to the Sea and the swimming community. Mark will take part in the Liffey 100th swim and will continue to raise money for Epilepsy Ireland with the help of the incredible friends and family he's surrounded with.

About the Artist
Dublin and London based Steve McCarthy is an Illustrator and designer. His work can be seen in the backgrounds of the Oscar-nominated film Song of the Sea or in the pages of A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea, a collaboration with children’s writer Sarah Webb, which won the Bord Gais energy’s Children’s book of the year. He is currently at work on his first solo picture book.

Shipping and Returns
This poster is sold unframed securely packaged in a cardboard tube. For full information on shipping and returns, click here. Please note colours may vary between computer screens.