Old Man Belfield

Michael Byrne, affectionately known as “Old Man Belfield”, was a gentle, quiet & private man who spent more than 20 years sleeping rough on the campus grounds of University College Dublin. He sadly died at 71 years of age on January 11th 2021. Michael was beloved by all who knew him even though he barely spoke a word. He once saved a female student who was being attacked on campus, and even then, he did so silently. After Michael's passing, I felt compelled to sketch his gentle soul, using the simple medium of charcoal and chalk. I am minting this portrait on Christmas Eve, approaching his first anniversary, as a reminder to be kind, humble and to always look out for each other and to remember those who walk this earth alone. RIP Michael Byrne