Art Galleries in Ireland: An Art Lovers’ Heaven

Updated On: November 08, 2023 by   Ciaran Connolly

Here at ConnollyCove, we are big fans of all things Irish art, whether it’s street art, visual art, performing arts – we love it all. On this guide, ConnollyCove will take you around the impressive art galleries in Ireland, what they have to offer, where you can find them and much more.

“You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at the picture for a second and think of it all your life. “  – Joan Miro

Art Galleries in Ireland are a way to get up close and personal, to some remarkable work created by talented Irish artists, both past and present, as well as international artists. Irish art has long been appreciated around the world with the likes of Jack Butler Yeats and Paul Henry helping to put Ireland on the world map with their unique work.

Keep reading to uncover ConnollyCove’s guide to the best art galleries in Ireland; no art lover should pass up these places.

The National Art Gallery of Ireland

First on our list of Art Galleries in Ireland is the National Art Gallery of Ireland. It’s worth mentioning that this art gallery in Dublin is completely free to visit but is a true treasure to enjoy offering a fine collection of Irish and European art on display.

First founded in 1854, the National Art Gallery of Ireland is home to an incredible collection of over 16,300 unique pieces of artwork.

Through a visit to this Irish art gallery, you’ll take a trip back in time, as you explore art from 1300 up to the present day, offering you a glimpse into how art has evolved in Ireland and Europe throughout the decades.

Some very familiar artists work is housed here including the famous Picasso and Mantegna as well as renown Irish artists like Jack. B Yeats and Margaret Clarke.

All different forms of art from paintings to sculpture to photography and drawings can be discovered at The National Art Gallery of Ireland.

Opening Times

National Gallery of Ireland is open seven days a week and late opening on Thursday nights.

Permanent Collection Exhibition Times:

Monday: 11am – 5.30pm                              

Tuesday: 9.15am – 5.30pm

Wednesday: 9.15am – 5.30pm

Thursday: 9.15am – 8.30pm

Friday: 9.15am – 5.30pm

Saturday 9.15am – 5.30pm

Sunday 11am – 5.30pm

The Kenny Gallery

Located along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, just outside the centre of Galway City, you’ll find this Irish art gallery. The Kenny Gallery has been selling the original work of Irish artists for over 75 years, specialising particularly in Contemporary Irish Art.

The Kenny Gallery offerings a great collection of art and exhibitions from the 19th century to the 21st century. Throughout the year, the Irish gallery organises a host of solo and group exhibitions by visiting artists from around Ireland, Europe and further afield as well as helping to promote up and coming Irish talent.

You can explore the works of Paul Henry and Sean Keating, two remarkable Irish artists along with other noble names like George Cample, Louis LE Brocque ad Andy Warhol.  This is one of the family run art galleries in Ireland and is a thriving family run centre for the arts and should be on every art lovers list of places to visit.

Opening Times

9.00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday

(Bindery: 7:00am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday, Saturday By Appointment)

Model Art Gallery

This art gallery in Ireland is where you can check out the impressive works of art by Jack Butler Yeats, the brother of William Butler Yeats – the largest public holding of his work anywhere. An award-winning Irish gallery that is home to one of the most renown public collections of art in Ireland.

Famous among art galleries in Ireland for being the home of The Niland Collection that offers a strong focus on the works of the Yeats family as well as the traditional and contemporary art by other artists through six curated exhibitions every year.

The Model Art Gallery in Sligo has become a household name in the Irish art scene, along with the gallery, it also boasts a bookshop, restaurant and coffee shop as well as an artist studio that beautifully overlooks the town of Sligo.

Opening Times:

Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm

Sunday: 10.30am – 3.30pm.

Closed: Monday

Irish Museum of Modern Art

Located in the heart of Ireland’s capital city, is one of the magnificent art galleries in Ireland that provides a space where contemporary art comes alive and will definitely inspire you on a visit. The Irish Museum of Modern Art is home to a superb national collection of both contemporary and modern art with over 3,500 pieces on display by both Irish and international artists alike.

The collection here is highly focused on the present and current works of contemporary art, with new pieces, added every year.  However, the Modern Art collection has a huge emphasis on the past with many of the pieces on loan taking you from the 1940s and onward through art.

A free Irish Gallery to visit, where along with its brilliant permanent collection there are regular exhibitions and installations, so you’ll always experience something new on a trip here. This is one of the unmissable art galleries in Ireland.

Opening  Times:

Monday: Closed:

Tuesday to Friday: 11.30 – 5.30pm

Saturday: 10.00am to 5.30pm

Sunday: 12Noon – 5.30pm

Bank Holiday Monday:  12Noon – 5:30pm

The Whitethorn Gallery

Up next on our guide to some of the best art galleries in Ireland is Whitehorn Gallery in Galway. This Irish art gallery is owned and run by award-winning Irish artists Anne Merrins, which first opened in 2009. Anne Merrins has an incredible career within the arts sector, spanning over 25 years and much of her work has been exhibited around the world.

At this Irish gallery, you can explore a diverse range of paintings and sculptures that will appeal to those with an eclectic taste. Considered as a ‘mainstream gallery’ offering those visiting a look at some of Ireland best contemporary artwork, by, of course, Irish artists as well as artists from around Europe.

The featured collections of artists you can find here include Kenneth Webb, John Coll, Brenda Malley and Roisin O’Farrell. So make sure you check this interesting one among all the art galleries in Ireland.

Opening Times:

Monday:   12am – 6pm

Tuesday: 12am – 6pm

Wednesday: 12am – 6pm

Thursday: 12am – 6pm

Friday:  12am – 6pm

Saturday: 12am – 6pm

The Limerick City Art Gallery

An invitation to see some amazing contemporary art through a variety of exhibition programmes on offer at this Irish art gallery in Limerick. The Limerick City Art Gallery is home to the biggest collection of contemporary art in the midwest Ireland, helping to bring to light the work of a variety of national and international artists through their various exhibitions.

Recently the gallery has undergone a huge makeover that has made the place more appealing and full of life, as you walk around and appreciate the spectacular artwork on view, making it one of the beautiful art galleries in Ireland to visit.

At this gallery, you can check out the popular national collection of drawings and the Michael O’Connor International Poster Collections. Famous Irish artists on display here include Sean Keating, Grace Henry, and Paul Henry.

Opening Times:

Monday: 10am – 5.30pm

Tuesday: 10am – 5.30pm

Wednesday: 10am – 5.30pm

Thursday: 10am – 8pm

Saturday:10am – 5pm

Sunday:12pm – 5pm

Closed of Public and Bank Holidays

Huge Lane Gallery

Finishing ConnollyCoves Guide on the best art galleries in Ireland with the impressive Huge Lane Gallery in Dublin. An Irish art gallery that has an exceptional history around it  – the impressive vision of Hugh Lane himself. Lane is most famous for helping to establish the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in Dublin in 1908, to be the first modern art gallery in the world.

There are many impressive collections on offer at this gallery including the Francis Bacon and the Art of Ancient Egypt, The Sean Scully Room, Stain Glass Room and more. There is also much beautiful art on display that gives you a glimpse into Ireland’s past at the Huge Lane Gallery. Which is why this gallery should make it on your list of art galleries in Ireland.

Opening Times

Tuesday: 9.45am – 6pm

Wednesday: 9.45am – 6pm

Thursday: 9.45am – 6pm

Friday: 9.45am – 5pm

Saturday: 10am to 5pm

Sunday: 11am – 5pm

These are just a few of the exceptional art galleries in Ireland, but you’ll find many more located around Emerald Island to soak up all the art in the world. The art scene in Ireland is very strong and these art galleries prove just that.

Have you ever been to any art galleries in Ireland? Which is your favourite one? Maybe it isn’t on this list but we would still love to know.

If you enjoyed this blog, it’s worthwhile to check out these ones as well:

Maser: the Irish Street Artists Taking the World By Storm | Art Galleries in Belfast | The Mac Art Centre Belfast | The Unmissable Galway International Arts Festival