Art Galleries in Ireland: An Art Lovers’ Heaven

Here at ConnollyCove, we are big fans of Irish art, whether street art, visual art, or performing arts—we love it all. In this guide, ConnollyCove will take you around the impressive art galleries in Ireland, explaining what they 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 image briefly and feel about it all your life. “  – Joan Miro.

Art Galleries in Ireland are a way to get up close and personal with remarkable work created by talented Irish artists and international artists, both past and present. Irish art has long been appreciated worldwide, with 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. This art gallery in Dublin is entirely free to visit and a true treasure, offering a fine collection of Irish and European art.

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

A visit to this Irish art gallery will take you back in time as you explore art from 1300 to the present day, offering a glimpse into how art has evolved in Ireland and Europe.

Some familiar artists’ works are housed here, including the famous Picasso and Mantegna and renowned Irish artists like Jack B Yeats and Margaret Clarke.

The National Art Gallery of Ireland offers a wide range of art, from paintings to sculpture to photography and drawings.

Opening Times

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

Permanent Collection Exhibition Times:

Monday: 11 am – 5.30 pm                              

Tuesday: 9.15 am – 5.30 pm

Wednesday: 9.15 am – 5.30 pm

Thursday: 9.15 am – 8.30 pm

Friday: 9.15 am – 5.30 pm

Saturday 9.15 am – 5.30 pm

Sunday 11 am – 5.30 pm

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 original works of Irish artists for over 75 years, specializing mainly in contemporary Irish art.

The Kenny Gallery offers 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 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, and Andy Warhol. This is one of the family-run art galleries in Ireland, a thriving family-run centre for the arts, and should be on every art lover’s list of places to visit.

Opening Times

9.00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Saturday

(Bindery: 7:00 am – 4:30 pm, 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. It is 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, it offers a strong focus on the works of the Yeats family and 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: 10 am – 5 pm

Sunday: 10.30 am – 3.30 pm.

Closed: Monday

Irish Museum of Modern Art

Located in the heart of Ireland’s capital city, the Irish Museum of Modern Art is one of the most magnificent art galleries in Ireland. It 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 contemporary and modern art, with over 3,500 pieces on display by both Irish and international artists.

The collection here is highly focused on contemporary art’s present and current works, with new pieces added every year.  However, the Modern Art collection significantly emphasises 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 there are regular exhibitions and installations, along with its brilliant permanent collection, 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 – 5.30 pm

Saturday: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm

Sunday: 12Noon – 5.30pm

Bank Holiday Monday:  12Noon – 5:30 pm

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, which first opened in 2009, is owned and run by award-winning Irish artist Anne Merrins. 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. It is considered a ‘mainstream gallery’ offering those visiting a look at some of Ireland’s best contemporary artwork by Irish artists and artists from around Europe.

The featured collections of artists 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: 12 am – 6 pm

Tuesday: 12 am – 6 pm

Wednesday: 12 am – 6 pm

Thursday: 12 am – 6 pm

Friday: 12 am – 6 pm

Saturday: 12 am – 6 pm

The Limerick City Art Gallery

An invitation to see some fantastic 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 of Ireland, helping to bring to light the work of various national and international artists through their various exhibitions.

Recently, the gallery underwent a considerable makeover, making it more appealing and full of life as you walk around and appreciate the spectacular artwork on view. It is now one of the most 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: 10 am – 5.30 pm

Tuesday: 10 am – 5.30 pm

Wednesday: 10 am – 5.30 pm

Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm

Saturday:10 am – 5 pm

Sunday:12 pm – 5 pm

Closed of Public and Bank Holidays

Huge Lane Gallery

I’m Finishing ConnollyCoves Guide on the best art galleries in Ireland with the impressive Huge Lane Gallery in Dublin. This Irish art gallery 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, 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, the 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 powerful, and these art galleries prove that.

Have you ever been to any art galleries in Ireland? Which is your favourite one? It may not be on this list, but we would still love to know.

If you enjoyed this blog, it’s worthwhile to check out these 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