Declan Ryan is facing up to his passion for masks

Declan Ryan may be best known for fine dining and artisan bread, but he also is an avid collector of ethnic masks, writes Ellie O’Byrne

I’VE always said I’d rather live in a tent with an amazing piece of art than live in a mansion with no art.” Declan Ryan is breakfasting at a leisurely pace amidst his collection of masks in the Sternview Gallery in Nash 19.

Ryan is better known as the owner of artisan bakery Arbutus Breads, and previously the Arbutus restaurant, but Ireland’s first Michelin-starred chef is here in his capacity as a collector. He’s exhibiting his impressive collection of masks, a folk art treasure trove comprising masks mostly from West Africa and Papua New Guinea, for the Sternview Gallery’s ‘Meet the Collector’ exhibition which showcases a private art collection and lets the collector share their experiences.