Cow House Studios

My daughter attended Art on the Farm in the summer of 2026 and it was an amazing experience for her. She underwent a tremendous amount of personal and artistic growth through her experiences and has also come home with a deep love of Ireland. She will be using some of the pieces she created in her college portfolio. We also had a good laugh when she got home because she had so many sketches of the horse that she could see through her bedroom window. (Most of her favorite pieces she's done at home are also of horses). The ability to visit another culture and be surrounded by fellow artists in such a lovely community was the real crowning jewel of her summer.

Our daughter goes to an art high school in NYC and she wanted to expand her knowledge of art and make new connections. She found this program and went between her sophomore and junior year for a month in the summer. She had an extraordinary experience. She loved every aspect--the teachers, the living spaces, the friends she made and the art she was able to produce. She loved the trips they took, and most of all loved her time walking around the landscape and tea time with her friends. As a parent I always felt she was safe. She loved not being on her phone and she came back realizing how much space she gained creatively when she only had her phone for an hour a day. It was a big success!

The warmth, care, and expertise of the staff and faculty are wonderful. Our daughter's experience was deeply meaningful, full of joy & fun, grew her artistic skill set (and portfolio!, which we had underestimated and it resulted in a significant scholarship to a design school), as well as her independence and cultural exposure. The team holds space for the students to find their own way & to get out of it what they put into it -- that's an invaluable lesson at this life stage.

The space and surroundings are comfortable, cozy, and safe -- it feels like staying with close family friends. The fresh baked bread, thoughtfully home cooked meals (prepared by the lovely & hilarious Dee who felt like a true Auntie), and morning exercise option (led with encouragement & care by Frank) all helped to keep our daughter's health in balance.
The program folds its participants into the community, from the grandparents that reside next door, to the local children that come in for occasional workshops & events), to dinner at Rosie & Frank's house just down the way.

The weekend trips all over Ireland are a huge plus, and every stop is thoughtfully curated, and even adjusted as needed in response to weather or other factors. Stops covered countless galleries & museums, as well as a lighthouse, cultural landmarks, local small businesses & community venues, and hostel stay experiences, all of which combine for a super well rounded semester.

All supplies are included, which is significant, and our daughter was thrilled at the range of materials & equipment on hand (especially the unlimited film!). The guidance & critique are gentle while fostering confidence and encouraging growth. There's nicely done accountability in terms of rotating weekly chores and attending studio, done in a way that requires self-direction & building adulting skills.

Her experience felt like being with extended family, which gave us major peace of mind and left her with life-long treasured memories. Each cohort has a unique experience, based on the alchemy of that year's group – so it's truly a one of a kind community each time, which is just one more special aspect of this immersive, robust, and beautiful program!

A gem in the countryside of Ireland for young creatives~
My daughter recently returned from a autumn Gap year program at Cow House, and I can not recommend it highly enough.

Frank and Rosie's program of art instruction, weekend field trips and studio free time was the perfect combination for my young artist. She learned a ton, an artistic freedom, and got to know Ireland! An extremely well-run program, and I felt like my young adult was in excellent hands for all parts of the experience.

Parents should feel lucky to have their young adults here.

My decision to take a gap year came later in my high school career, and while my time spent at Cow House Studios was one semester, it has encompassed everything I wanted and needed within that decision. The culmination of new material, incredibly expansive resources, and self guided practices truly nurtured my soul as an artist. I felt so safe and my practice was uplifted and encouraged by everyone there. Some of my most treasured memories come from simply talking about what it means to be an artist with friends and especially all of my mentors: Rosie, Frank, Roísín, Dee, Sinead, and even Michael (Rosie's dad) whenever he would pop into the studio! :) This community is so connected, and truly feels like family. The depth of history and transformation the space has gone through is so inspiring, and there is so much care within every inch. The library, my room with my roommate who is now like my sister, and the kitchen having long chats with Dee, all feel like a home that will never leave my heart. Every moment I spent in Teach Muc (the clay studio), the darkroom, my studio, and even writing and reading by the fire, nourished my creativity and absolutely taught me how to take care of myself as an artist, and have patience with my practice. Above all else, the connection with the land and environment I was able to foster changed my life. I learned how to explore and play again, and the long walks I took exploring the fields, creeks, forests, and mountains solitary and with others absolutely reawakened my inner child. Additionally, the visits to other spaces for artists such as the Red Barn Residency, Workhouse Union, and Blackbird Culture Lab enriched my perspective of correlations between regenerative agriculture, environmental activism, and the arts. The interactions with curators and a wide range of exhibitions were eye opening and have absolutely provided me with a network of artists, activists, and community organizers in which I am so grateful to Rosie and Frank for.

It was a very big deal and investment for my family to send me to Cow House Studios, and words cannot express the gratitude I feel for my time spent there. To say it was life changing would be an understatement; my connection with that space and all of the other communities I was introduced to feel lifelong. I am also incredibly grateful that Cow House offers several scholarships given that it is a fairly small family run business. (Which is another reason why you should support them!) I believe everyone should get the opportunity to experience the freedom, support, and eye opening experiences my time spent there provided me.