Family and Farming Foundations
Cow House Studios is
located three miles from the small village of Rathnure,
County Wexford, nestled at the foot of the scenic
Blackstairs Mountains in two farm buildings that have been
in the O’Gorman family for over 200 years. Michael, Rosie’s
father, originally considered using the old farm buildings
to hold art classes in 1997 when Rosie began her degree in
Art Education at the National College of Art and Design.
However, the idea of converting part of the O’Gorman farm
into an artist space really took shape and gained momentum
when Rosie and Frank met in graduate school in San
Francisco in 2002. By that time, it was clear the Cow House
had potential to not only offer classes but also to
position itself as an artistic and cultural hub for the
region. In 2005, plans to transform the buildings were put
in motion. Between November 2006 and June 2008, both the
studio and the Barn were lovingly renovated, and with much
excitement Cow House Studios opened its doors in June 2008,
hosting a talented group of young international artists.