A lady probably of the Kirwan family, full face in white dress with sprigged fichu and standing lace collar, sprigged black gauze stole draped over her shoulders, an eye glass suspended from a black and gold chain around her neck, white turban pinned with gold brooch in her curling auburn hair

It has been suggested that the sitter is a member of the Kirwan family from Galway and a descendant of Richard Kirwan, the famous scientist and an ancestor of Patrick Kirwan, an actor/manager who travelled around Ireland in the early years of the 20th Century. More information on the Kirwan family can be found in the John Hardiman Library of the University of Galway.