Bruce Arnold

y deepest sympathies on your enormous loss.Bruce was a great man, full of integrity and knowledge with which shared easily with others.His contribution to Irish art history was and is tremendous.

Rossa Hurley

Our sincere condolences to the Arnold family. Truly a fearless and great Journalist that kept the people of Ireland informed with the facts in very difficult times. A very sad loss to his family and the Irish Nation. May his gentle Soul Rest In Peace.

May he be resting in peace now..

Bruce Arnold's many qualities are well known. But his kindness and patience were remarkable. At a time in the 1980s when huge issues dominated Irish politics he still had time (and patience!) to listen to and respond to a fairly obscure back bench Senator. My sympathies to all his family

Bruce was a unique voice in politics and art. We remember times with Anne Yeats and him, lively discussions when collaborating on a major IMMA show and just bumping into him on the seafront and surrounds, which was always welcome. Few manage to maintain such consistent integrity over a lifetime as did Bruce Arnold. Our sincere sympathies to your family.

Bruce was one of England's best gifts to Ireland. He was amazingly productive, an example to all. Some of his books were doubtless pot-boilers, but his three artists' biographies (Orpen, Jellett, Yeats) will not be superseded, in my opinion. He was unfailingly generous when asked for help or advice. I will miss his smile.

R I P Bruce,your principels and integrity were above reproach

Deepest sympathy to Hugo and Polly on the death of my dearest friend Bruce Arnold.
I will never forgot that I worked for him along with Andrew Bonar Law in the first Neptune Gallery, West St. Stephen's Green in 1967, and moved to York Street in 1968 and to South William Street in 1979. Bruce and I organised many exhibitions of Thomas Cooley (1795 - 1872), William Orpen, Mainie Jellett, and others in the Neptune Gallery from 1968 to 1977. I am so proud of Bruce to have his skilled to write an articles on the stories of Irish artists, and prepared for the future exhibitions. Thank you Bruce.

Bruce ….. what wonderful memories we have of him on his frequent visits to Sligo .
Always dressed smartly in his trade mark linen jacket it was a real pleasure to spend time in his company.
Our thoughts are with you, Polly & Hugo , during these sad days.
Kind regards,
Anthony & Rosemary Kitchin

Deepest sympathy to the Arnold Family on the death of Bruce. May his gentle soul rest in peace . We shared a strong interest in The White Stag Group of artists , and I so enjoyed our chats . Rosary Coc.

I had the privilege and the pleasure of producing with Bruce a film documentary for RTE on the artist, the painter William Orpen. The work was published by Jonathan Cape in 1981 and its production remains for me one of the landmarks of my career.
Bruce was highly creative and principled and, together with his wife, Mavis, was a force of nature in what is right and just.
May they and their already departed son rest in peace.

It was in the National Gallery that I first met Bruce Arnold in the late seventies, while filming an exhibition of the work of William Orpen. Our decision to unite our interests in the great artist led to what was, considered to be, an accomplished documentary. Our friendship endured over the years and, In 2010, Bruce took part in the MacGill Summer School to talk about his then new work on the Donegal artist, Derek Hill.
Bruce

Dear Polly and Hugo and "children" (not so young now, of course).
I'm so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. He wasn't just a wonderful scholar but a wonderful person. As his research assistant I learned so much about how to be a writer from him. But I also learned so much about love, patience and empathy from him too. He loved your mum so much and I was always so taken with the care and thoughtfulness with which every moment they shared was wrapped in.
I find it hard to get my head around him being gone, a real treasure of a person has been lost.
May his memory be a blessing.

He did the State some service - in politics, the arts, scholarship, journalism, and as a novelist.

Our thoughts are with all of the Arnold family circle at this time. We never had the pleasure of knowing Bruce personally but always admired his courage and sincerity. It is nice to know he will be at rest in St. Annes Knocknarea, a place we know well.

Deepest sympathy to his family.
May he see the Light of Heaven and hear the music of the angels.

My deepest sympathy to the family at this sad news. Bruce was a valued
and trusted friend over many years and a man of deep faith. He will be missed by those who knew and admired him.

Deepest condolences to Bruce's family and friends. I only got to know Bruce in the last few years. He was a very gracious host and I really enjoyed his company.

Thank you. . Sadly missed.

So sorry to see the passing of such a fine friend and frequent colleague. Yes, a truly good man.

Bruce was a fascinating man with a formidable intellect and wit .
Traits which were obvious to anyone who ever met him .
He has not only left his mark in Irish Journalism - his chosen
profession - but also in the History of 20th Century Irish Art - through his published works on Mainie Jellett , William Orpen and Jack B. Yeats .
His overall contribution to Irish Art History cannot be overstated .
May he rest in peace.

Condolences to Bruce's family and friends from a total stranger.

I had occasion to seek Bruce's help twenty years ago when an enormous wrong was done to me by people I knew.
Bruce believed me one hundred per cent and supported me. I still have his letter.
Truth and justice were as important to him as they are to me. He was fearless.
May he rest in peace.

To Polly and family. A dear friend who gave me great support and advice and wisdom when I was head of the Reform Movement when he was a spokesman. He was so brave and helpful to us. I am sad. So glad he got an OBE. Deepest sympathy.

A dear friend for more than 50 years...He and Mavis were dearest friends for a very long stretch of my life...never to be forgotten..AVE SAVE VALE...

My sincere sympathies to Bruce’s family. Many great memories of political debates and exchanges with Bruce and great times in the garden with Mavis, a remarkable couple. We all shared a great interest in all things botanical and exchanged plants from our gardens.

Brace was remarkable in so many ways. May he rest in Peace.

I was so sorry to hear about Bruce's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time.

Polly and Hugo and all the family, I send you my deepest sympathy on the death of Bruce. I admired him greatly, his writing skills, his courage in raising difficult, challenging and contentious issues. I was very fond of Bruce and was so glad I got to see him in Fern Dean and to thank him for his kindness to me at a difficult time in political life. May your sadness at his death be comforted by all your great memories.

Sincere condolences to the Arnold family at this very sad time.
Bruce was a true gentleman and scholar.
RIP.

So sorry to hear of Bruce's death. His father was my aunt's dear friend and I feel I have lost a relative. He helped me with my writing, and I helped him his book about his dad. A singer at the wedding made a big impression on me as did the Irish Gulag. May the choirs of angels sing him into paradise.

I had the honor and privilege of serving on the board of management of NCAD, in the early 80's with Bruce. As a nieve student representative on the board, Bruce was almost like a mentor for me and someone i have always held in the highest regard ever since. His astute perception combined with an eloquence of delivery left the listener in no doubt as to the message he wish to convey. His schooling in the nuances of political posturing has stood me in good stead ever since. My his gentle and genuine sole Rest in Peace.

A great friend to Brendan Kennelly
I remember his wonderful speech at the Brendan Kennelly festival in Ballylongford on a sunny day on the green .... both Trinity greats....may they continue now in the sunny uplands together.

Deepest sympathy to his Family may he rest in eternal peace.

Bruce was a person of the highest integrity and understood the value and power of quality journalism.
He stood up to malevolent forces in this state at a critical time for our democracy.
The Irish State and people owe him great thanks and appreciation.

Condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.

To Polly,Hugo and familys,so sorry for your loss, my time with Mavis and your dad was enjoyable,a pleasure to meet all the family and friends,Peace be with you all x

for setting up the neptune gallery in combination with bonar law , providing gainful employment for a good friend

We are both very sad to hear of Bruce's death but retain many happy memories of times with him and with Mavis over the years. We both collaborated with Bruce on various projects and much enjoyed our professional and social contacts. May he rest in peace. Andrew Carpenter and Lucy Collins.

Deepest sympathy to you all
Love from Honor in Bandon

I'm so deeply saddened to learn of Bruce's passing. He was a lovely man of great integrity. A particularly special memory I have is of his presenting an informal interview with the wonderful and recently deceased Imogen Stuart back in 2014 in Glasthule Parish Centre to help with our fundraising for important work on the magnificent organ in St. Joseph's.

Sincerest sympathy to all of Bruce's family. May he rest in peace.

Sympathy to the family - nice memories of a a popular man, RIP Bruce

I’m very sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing; he was a formidable thinker and also a bon viveur of the best order.
Deepest sympathies to you Polly and Hugo, may he rest in peace,
Gemma

Sincere sympathy to Hugo, Polly, and all the Arnold family on the death of Bruce. A man of courage, intellect, empathy and faith, who inspired and challenged through his writing and debate.

Sincere sympathies to the Arnold family on the death of Bruce. We had many interesting conversations and he was gifted with a great intellect and independence of mind.

My thoughts are with you at this time.

Dear Hugo and Polly,

I'm so very sorry to hear of Bruce's death, he was the most sparkly man with the best style, the world has lost some colour with his passing, sending hugs to you both and thinking of dear Mavis as well, rest in peace both xxx

RIP Bruce.

Sincere condolences Polly and Hugo on the passing of your dearest father Bruce. May he Rest In Peace.

Sincere condolences to Bruce's family. I have lots of good memories going back a long time. He and his late wife Mavis were very kind to my late Dad, Jimmy Devaney, Lisheen. May he enjoy eternal happiness in God's heavenly home.

Dear Polly and Hugo,
Please accept our deep sympathy.Bruce was unique. Together with Mavis he made an outstanding contribution to Irish public life. Trenchant and fearless in speaking truth to power. Our thoughts are with you and the extended family. May Bruce rest in peace after a long life well lived.
Abdul and Katharine.

So sorry to hear the sad news. Thinking of you at this time, Hugo, Polly, Tom, Ruby and family. Sending you our sympathies from Dún Laoghaire. Sarah, Ben and family

Bruce you touched the lives of so many, a true gentleman, sending all my love to Polly, Hugo and extended family. R.I.P.

My sincere sympathies to Bruce’s family. He and Mavis I knew as wonderful people rearing their family in Glenageary, with Mavis’s mother accommodated in a smart mews which Bruce built for her in the garden. As research assistant for Bruce it was a privilege to observe their great work ethic and appreciation of beautiful things. Bruce loved debate and it was extraordinary to be able to challenge such a well known person all the way. Decades later I more than ever see him as a brave public intellectual who was courageous enough to speak up when speaking up was not popular. May he rest in Peace.

Sincere condolences to Bruce's family. I have lots of good memories going back a long time..rip... Mary

So very sad at Bruce’s passing. He was such a lovely neighbour, so warm and friendly, interested in everything and interesting and engaging himself. He will be sadly missed. Condolences to Polly and Hugo and all their families and friends. RIP 🌹

Deepest condolences to all of Bruce’s family and friends. A much admired man by all that sought high standards from those that were privileged enough to be elected as our leaders. May he rest in eternal peace.