THE swimmer who died after getting into difficulty in the sea in Co Down was last night named as landscape artist Mary Feeney.
Tributes have been paid to the talented painter, who was originally from Ardara in Co Donegal but had moved to Co Down several years ago.
She was described as a "valued and talented artist and teacher", who had exhibited her work in galleries across Ireland, UK and America.
Ms Feeney died after getting into difficulty close to Skippingstone Beach in Bangor on Tuesday. Her body was recovered close to rocks, but she was declared dead at the scene.
She was an established landscape artist with her paintings often depicting the beauty of the Irish countryside and coast.
Writing about her own work in 2014, Ms Feeney said: "My artwork is semi-abstract/impressionist and is mainly oil on canvas and oil on linen, and it focuses on the untamed beauty of Donegal's landscape and rugged coastline.
"I attempt to capture the aura and wild splendour of County Donegal, one of the most stunning areas in Ireland.
"My work has been exhibited in numerous galleries across Ireland, including in Bangor, Belfast, Holywood, Skibbereen, Kinsale, Galway and Donegal."
Tributes were last night paid to the artist, with a friend describing her as "kind and talented and loved life", while another said she was a "gentle, lovely soul...her paintings will be a great legacy".
Ms Feeney was a regular participant in Bangor’s annual Open House Festival.
A spokesperson for the Festival told Belfast Live: "We are all shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible news that Mary tragically lost her life this morning while out swimming so close to her home.
"Mary was a valued and talented artist and teacher.
"She will be missed by the local arts and cultural community here in Bangor."