Dorothy O’ Riordan was born in Cork and grew up in Bishopstown. She studied Fine Art at Crawford College of Art and Design and completed a diploma with the Regent Academy London.

Her work is predominantly based on light, with an emphasis on light and shadow. Her inspiration comes from the Impressionists, and the Fauves, for their use of vivid colour. Her subject is primarily light, and she captures the play of light on the buildings and landscapes of Cork, and Marbella. By eliminating black from her palette, combined with painterly brushstrokes, O’ Riordan captures the essence of light and keeps freshness in her work.