More than 100 artists will show work across 40 galleries, cultural institutions and creative spaces throughout Dublin this week, as Dublin Gallery Weekend returns for a four-day celebration of Irish contemporary art running November 6–9, RTE.ie reported. The free, citywide programme packs exhibitions, talks, workshops, demonstrations and film screenings into a single weekend, positioning the capital as a cultural counterweight on the European stage.
The scale of the event has grown steadily, and this edition arrives with new institutional weight behind it. For the first time, the programme introduces two major artist awards, the Francis Bacon Awards for Irish Visual Arts: a €25,000 Lifetime Achievement Award and a €15,000 Mid-Career Award. Established by Château La Coste, the prizes recognize artists at two different stages of their careers, and both winners are invited to present solo exhibitions at the French estate.
Awards Put a Price Tag on Artistic Longevity
The money attached to the awards is not trivial, and it signals how seriously the organizers want the weekend taken. John Daly, director of Hillsboro Fine Art and chair of the Contemporary Art Gallery Association, welcomed the festivities and framed the event as proof of the city’s creative energy. The awards themselves sharpen that message: one honors a career measured in decades, the other a trajectory still being built.
Patrick Graham, recipient of the inaugural Francis Bacon Lifetime Achievement Award for Irish Visual Arts, will sit for a special live conversation at the National Gallery of Ireland on Saturday, November 7, alongside Dr. Caroline Campbell, the gallery’s director, and Daly. Doors open at 12:15 p.m., with the discussion running from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., exploring Graham’s career and his contribution to Irish visual arts.
Artists Discuss Creative Processes
Beyond the awards stage, the weekend is built around direct encounters with artists. Tom Climent, whose work Phototropism is pictured in the programme, appears in conversation with critic Cristin Leach at Solomon Fine Art. Cecilia Bullo and Kevin Mooney discuss Silt & Sorcery with curator Dr. Sarah Kelleher at Hillsboro Fine Art. John Kindness chats with Patrick T. Murphy at Molesworth Gallery, while Martin Gale and Gemma Tipton explore landscape, memory and imagination at Taylor Galleries. Gallery owner Oliver Sears and Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council, examine the relationship between two- and three-dimensional work at the Irish Architectural Archive.
A dedicated three-day film programme at Light House Cinema, curated by AEMI, marks another first. The programme features films from Irish and international artists such as Susan Hughes, Gerard Byrne, Vivienne Dick, Emma Finn, Michael Barwise, Jaki Irvine, and Morgan Quaintance, a British filmmaker who has won the Jarman Award. All screenings are free, though advance booking through the Dublin Gallery Weekend website is required.
Built for Everyone, From Collectors to Kids
Organizers stress that the weekend is designed for diverse audiences, championing accessibility and inclusivity. Visitors can attend a live recording of one of the art world’s best-known podcasts, watch contemporary art on the big screen, meet artists in person, bring children to a workshop, browse art books, start a collection or simply explore a gallery they have never visited. Elizabeth Magill’s work is on display at the Kerlin Gallery among the many exhibitions open across the city.
The practical reach of the event matters as much as its prestige. With everything free and spread across 40 venues, the weekend lowers the barrier to entry for casual visitors while giving serious collectors a concentrated window to see what Irish contemporary art looks like right now. Full event details are listed on the Dublin Gallery Weekend website, and the organization notes that a 2026 edition is already scheduled to run at various venues from November 5–8.
Come out and enjoy this celebration of visual arts in our capital city—there is truly something interesting and enjoyable for everyone at Dublin Gallery Weekend!
Disclaimer: The cultural analyses and financial data presented in this article are based on available public records and industry metrics at the time of publication.
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