Woman who drowned in Mayo named locally as talented artist Cathy Hughes

Communities in Mayo and across the west of Ireland are in mourning over the tragic death in a drowning accident at Old Head beach, Louisburgh, yesterday of a woman who has been named locally as Cathy Hughes.

Ms. Hughes, a prolific and talented artist, had been living in Salthill, Galway City, but grew up in Westport, a member of the entrepreneurial Hughes business family.

A regular visitor to Louisburgh and Westport, she lost her life at Old Head on Sunday despite efforts to save her.

Her remains were taken to Mayo University Hospital for a post-mortem.

As an artist, Ms. Hughes was known far and wide for the quality and depth of her work.

She has been involved in the Irish arts and crafts since she was a child – one of a family of 13 growing up in Westport in the early 1960s.

Ms. Hughes’s mother was Maura Kelly, a cousin of world famous actress Grace Kelly, whose grandfather, John Kelly, emigrated from Newport to the US in the late 1800s.

Maura Kelly specialised in Irish antiques and began the world renowned Irish craft and knitwear business, Carraig Donn Industries.

Born in the late 1950s, Cathy Hughes was a member of one of Mayo's best-known and most respected families.

She regularly visited Old Head and swam there.

In recent online material to promote her business, she was described as an abstract artist who works with mixed media in oils and acrylics.

It continued: “As I was reared in the west of Ireland, mainly Westport and Galway, I was inspired by the beauty of my surroundings and from a very young age have been involved in painting."

Ms. Hughes' art graces many private collections including that of Prince Albert of Monaco.

Deepest sympathy is extended to her bereaved family on their devastating loss.

The funeral arrangements will be announced later.