Ceramist Kevin Callaghan in his studio in Donegal town wearing Magee 1866 Connor knit & Houndstooth scarf.
FRIENDS OF MAGEE 1866: KEVIN CALLAGHAN, CERAMICIST, DONEGAL
Next in our Friends of Magee 1866 series, we meet Kevin Callaghan, a ceramicist whose pottery studio is based in Donegal Town. Kevin holds a master's degree from the Royal College of Art and has lived and worked in Paris, London, and China. He brings this international expertise home to his Donegal studio, where he creates contemporary slipware marked by gestural, calligraphic influences drawn from Asian abstract art.
What Does Friendship Mean to You?
Since moving back to Ireland in 2022, friendship has become a central part of my life in Donegal. I've reconnected with my home county and reignited old friendships. I'm no longer running around London and Paris meeting people, it's all here now, and I'm connecting with great people back in Ireland. Having a shop and studio in Donegal Town means I get to talk with plenty of interesting people who love handmade objects as much as I do.
The Magee 1866 Piece You're Wearing
I have a few lovely Magee 1866 pieces. One favourite is a 1990s sandy-coloured blazer given to me by a friend. The green merino hoodie I'm wearing now is wonderfully comfortable for everyday wear, with a great slim fit. The scarf goes with everything and is perfect for winter and typical Irish weather.
Where Kevin Learned His Craft
I was introduced to clay on a foundation course in Derry 25 years ago. It's funny, I'd failed honours Art at secondary school, yet that two-year foundation course sparked a deep interest in working with clay.
After that, I travelled through Asia for a year, then returned to study for a BA at the Crawford College of Art in Cork. During this time, I developed a strong interest in wheel-thrown pottery and was accepted onto the two-year professional pottery and ceramics course in Thomastown, Kilkenny.
I returned to Cork to complete my BA, alongside residencies at the National Sculpture Factory. In 2011, I began a Master's degree at the Royal College of Art in London, an amazing experience. Further residencies in Paris and China followed, and the journey continues today back in Donegal, where I now make ceramic lamps, vases, Japanese tea bowls, and one-off pieces.
Warming Up for the Year Ahead
I've started the year with a few 10km running competitions in Northern Ireland. I've become deeply involved in adventure racing and am building up to some major events later in the year. The studio has had a strong start too. January is a good time to ease back into making, and the quieter weeks are ideal for creative thinking and developing new work. That rhythm continues through February and March, and it's an important time to reflect and build fresh ideas for the year ahead.
Why Donegal Appeals to a Craftsperson
The north-west of Ireland has become a genuinely inviting place to build or re-establish a creative practice. Many Irish artists and makers are moving to Donegal to escape the pressure of high rents and overheads elsewhere. Mid-career artists and craftspeople in particular see Donegal as a place to settle, work, and enjoy the county's exceptional natural beauty. At this stage of my career, living in the Bluestack Mountains in a renovated sheep shed gives me the perfect balance of countryside living and creative thinking.
Kevin is wearing the Connor Hoodie and Houndstooth Scarf.