Roll Up, Roll Up! It’s the Secret Art Sale of the Decade…
Don Conroy, William Costelloe & Poppy Melia Among Artists to Launch 10th incognito Art Sale in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation
Ireland’s Much-Loved Mystery Art Sale Returns with a New Artwork Size
In the presence of works by Vermeer, Caravaggio, Jack B Yeats, and a galaxy of other luminaries in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, present day artists were certainly in appropriately auspicious company for the launch of this year’s incognito secret art sale for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.
Ireland’s favourite TV artist, author and environmentalist, Don Conroy, Creative Director of the Paul Costelloe brand, William Costelloe, contemporary artists Poppy Melia and Marcel Lindsay, photographic artist Amy O’Riordan, and visual artist Miriam Smithers, were joined at the event by mum Hannah McGrenera, and daughter Mila (age 5), who has been receiving in-home nursing care and respite support from Jack and Jill over the past four years.
The much-loved annual online art sale, in which the identities of the artists remain top secret and are only revealed once the art deal is done, will take place on Wednesday, May 20. The collection is now live at www.incognito.ie
Among the other well-known faces taking part in incognito 2026 are TV personality Mary Kennedy, TV cook and author Donal Skehan, singer/songwriter Lyra, comedian Jarlath Regan, and fashion designers Don O’Neill, Peter O’Brien, Simone Rocha, and Helen Steele. Long-established artists lending their support include Susan Cairns, Ruthie Ashenhurst, Leah Hewson, Tom Climent, Martin Gale, Holger Baehr, Martin Mooney and Bridget Flinn, and many more.
New Artwork Size
To mark a milestone year, incognito is celebrating a decade of hidden treasures in 2026, with 1,926 original artworks in a newly-enlarged 6 x 8-inch postcard size. Each artwork costs €75.
Funds raised are life-changing for the 496 families currently receiving care from the charity. In the decade since the sale was first inaugurated, a total of €1.4 million has been raised, supporting vital in-home nursing and respite care for Jack and Jill families across the country.
The service offers up to 100 hours of care a month to families caring for children, up to the age of seven, with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs, and operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape, and no waiting list.
Treasure Hunt
For the nation’s favourite TV artist, Don Conroy, incognito is about shining a light on Ireland’s wealth of artistic talent. He also offers a clue on spotting one of his artworks this year!
“For me, incognito is such a truly worthy cause—one that not only highlights the incredible work of Jack and Jill, and the talented artists who support it, but which also gives the public a meaningful way to contribute while enjoying an original work of art. On the one hand, there’s such joy in buying a piece of art, and with it the added element of mystery. On the other hand, there’s the essential, human contact, and the wonderful reassurance and profound healing, that Jack and Jill nursing and care teams provide by their very presence.
“When it comes to this year’s incognito art collection, there’s such a cross-section of talent, from the professional to the enthusiastic amateur. It’s really lovely to see how alive and well the creative expression is in its many forms. When it comes to my own artworks this year, I can divulge that one of my pieces may reveal my romantic side! Happy investigating!”
For William Costelloe, who has taken over the reins as Creative Director at Paul Costelloe following the passing of his dear dad last November, it was so important to continue Paul’s support for Jack and Jill:
“Dad was a father of seven and he absolutely loved children. He always had such a love for me and my brothers, and especially for my sister Jessica and, of course, his grandchildren. Meeting the beautiful children that he connected with through Jack and Jill, and incognito, he was just so honoured to be part of that journey and to help raise awareness.
“I’ve been working with Jack and Jill for a number of years now on the design of their coveted Christmas candles and it was really important for me to keep up that association. I studied fine art and love to work in water colours, because you really capture small scenes and beautiful moments so easily. Whether it’s people enjoying a glass of wine over dinner, or lounging on the beach, it’s something that a camera can’t capture. I think people generally just love the light brushstrokes too. They’re almost romantic.
“I think incognito is incredibly unique. I don’t know anyone else who actually does this and I think people love a surprise. It really is a treasure hunt and brings joy to people. It’s so important that the money keeps coming in for Jack and Jill, because parents need the help and the children need the help. As for a hint to my pieces, let’s just say they are very fashion forward!”
Putting My Family Back Together
Hannah McGrenera, from Bishopstown, Cork, is mum to Mila Beukers (age 5). She also happens to be one of the artists taking part in incognito 2026! Hannah says:
“It was October 2020 and Mila was rushed to Cork University Hospital after her first night at home, as she wasn’t feeding and an alarm bell went off in my head. Mila spent her first month in ICU, battling seizures. What struck me was the quietness in ICU—full of babies and yet no crying. After months of tests, doctors diagnosed Mila with KCNQ2 Encephalopathy, a rare genetic condition causing severe epilepsy and developmental delays.
“After a year, Mila was discharged, the hospital having exhausted its options. I remember thinking—how was I going to manage things by myself when there was a whole nursing team in the hospital. I was scared, defeated and totally hopeless; it was the darkest time of my life. That’s when Jack and Jill stepped in. While everything around me was uncertain, they were my rock.”
With Jack and Jill’s support, Hannah slowly began to find herself again. “I could escape to my art, even for a short time, without constant fear. I am more than just Mila’s carer. I am an artist. Knowing Mila is in safe hands gave me the confidence to embrace my creative side again and I am thrilled to be part of incognito, because I know the true value of turning art into care.”
For Hannah, Jack and Jill didn’t just provide care, “they helped piece my family back together—and gave me the strength to hope again.”
Ten Years of Real-world Impact
The brains behind incognito, curator Lucinda Hall, recalls how the novel art sale, in which artists donate anonymously, and buyers purchase expectantly, came about:
“It was actually my hairdresser who told me about the mystery art sale concept that he had come across in London. I was having dinner one evening with Jonathan Irwin, my friend and Jack and Jill Founder, and he was always on the lookout for new and innovative fundraising ideas. The rest, as they say, is history. It’s been great to unearth so much talent over the years, particularly from people the public would never have come to know otherwise. I know our participating artists have also breathed a huge sigh of relief with the new bigger postcard artwork size this year. When you’re used to painting enormous canvases, life’s that bit easier when you have a little more room to manoeuvre!
“My thanks to our wonderful incognito artists who have come back, year after year, to support this exciting fundraiser for Jack and Jill. It truly means the world to have their continued support and I’m excited to share this year’s milestone collection. Huge thanks also to our brilliant incognito buyers, who are avid fans and many of whom have incognito galleries at home!”
For Deirdre Walsh, CEO of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, incognito has meant more children can be cared for, for longer, and that families can now receive counselling support:
“Since incognito started, it has made such a real-world impact for the work that we are able to do. In those ten years, we have gone from supporting children up to the age of five years, to six years, and now to seven years. Last year, for the first time, we introduced a counselling service for all families too, providing additional support. Artists tell me that it is a real badge of honour to see their art showcased, while for the art buyer, there is the thrill in securing a treasured piece of art. Ultimately, what both artist and art buyer delight in is what their support means for parents—time for much-needed sleep, or time for coffee with a friend, or perhaps time to take a sibling to see a movie or go to a match. We are so grateful to the artists for giving, and to the public for buying, as the gift of time makes a significant difference for Jack and Jill families.”
For all the latest news on the incognito 2026 Art Sale, check out: @facebook.com/2026incognito or @instagram.com/jackandjillcf
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