Margaret Zita Coughlan was born in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and was educated in St.Angela’s Academy, Ursuline Convent, Thurles, where she studied and excelled in art.

Her maiden name was Minihan and many people in Thurles know her by that name.

She moved to Dublin where her artistic flair and talent led her to a career with Ib Jorgensen dress designer, and later Hallmark Greeting Cards where she worked as a designer, silk screen artist and teacher.

Painting since childhood she was winner of many National Painting Competitions. 3 times award winner of the Caltex/Texaco Art Competition (one of Irelands great cultural institutions, over 50,000 entries.)

Many prestigious artists were award winners in this competition.

Prize winner of Muintir na Tire art competition.

She decided to paint full time when her work was sought after, since then she has received numerous commissions working in Pastels, Oils & Watercolours and has paintings in collection in many parts of the world.

Over the years she has developed a unique style in her paintings inspired by fashion and feminine beauty.

There is an emerging interest in Margaret Zita’s pastel paintings and buyers comment on their originality, quality of light, mysterious shadows and skin tones that excite the viewer.

Margaret Zita has inherited her gift of art from her Great Great Grand Father on her fathers side, who was the famous Tipperary born artist Edward Hayes R.H.A. b1797- d1864 and his equally famous son Michael Angelo Hayes R.H.A. b1820 - d1887.

Edward Hayes painted miniatures in watercolour and was commissioned to paint portraits of the entire Bianconi family in the 19th century. His paintings are still on view in 37 College Green, Dublin.

Michael Angelo Hayes was famous for painting battle/military scenes and military men in uniform. They were both, with others, founder members of The Society of Irish Artists.

Margaret Zita was born under the sign of Virgo and is a perfectionist and this comes through in her work, she lives at the foot of the Dublin mountains where she works from her studio.