Galway is famous for many things with theatrical and visual arts being a prominent draw for tourists to the city and county. At the core of its buzzing art scene lies Galway’s many intimate galleries and exhibition spaces—welcoming venues where both emerging talents and established artists, local and international, proudly showcase their work. Keep on reading below to discover where in Galway city and county you’ll discover Galway’s best art galleries…
above: Outset Gallery, photo by Julie McLoughlin
Outset Gallery
Entry fee: free
Address: Unit 14 + 15, The Cornstore, Middle Street, Galway City.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm / Sunday 11am-4pm / Tuesday 11am-5pm / Closed Monday.
With a focus on showcasing exciting contemporary art and providing a platform for artists to display their work in the cultural capital of the West. Outset Gallery hosts curated visual arts programs with a new exhibition taking place each month in their central Galway city location, which runs alongside an after-hours education and an event program.
Discover more here.
Obsidian Arts
Entry fee: free
Address: 3 Fagan Court, Cross Street Lower, Galway City.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11am-6pm / Sunday 12pm-5pm.
One of Galway's coolest tattoo and piercing studios, Obsidian Arts is also home to an art gallery which shows the versatile styles of the artists that work there. You can find artworks by residents tattooists Caz, Ollie and Anna and piercers Debbie and Sinead on display here as well as work by visiting artists and other artists from Galway and beyond.
Discover more here.
above: photo courtesy The Kenny Gallery
The Kenny Gallery
Entry fee: free
Address: Liosban Retail Park, Tuam Rd, Liosban.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm / Closed Sunday.
Specialising in contemporary Irish art, The Kenny Gallery on the outskirts of Galway city exhibits the works of 19th-21st century artists and regularly hosts exhibitions by visiting artists from Europe and the United States. Hosting both solo and group exhibitions throughout the year, including retrospectives, they are always actively promoting new emerging talent to Galway audiences.
Discover more here.
The Whitethorn Gallery
Entry fee: free
Address: Main Street, Clifden.
Opening hours: All week long 11am-5pm.
See Connemara and West Galway through an artist’s eye at The Whitethorn Gallery. It showcases the artistic talents of local, national and international creators and makers. Featuring a combination of both paintings and sculptures, there is plenty for you to see and admire. Some of the artwork on display is also available to buy if you want to bring a bit of Connemara home with you.
Discover more here.
above: Galway Arts Centre, photo by Tom Flanagan
Galway Arts Centre
Entry fee: free
Address: 47 Dominick Street Lower, Galway City.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm (closed from 1-2pm on Sat for lunch) / Sunday 12pm-5pm / Closed Monday.
An arts centre that is dedicated to providing access to the arts in an inclusive welcoming space. Galway Arts Centre works with artists to create, challenge and connect audiences to exceptional local, national and international art that inspires new ideas and ways of thinking about the world.
Discover more here.
The Cash Shop
Entry fee: free
Address: Bridge Street, Gort.
Opening hours: By appointment, or just call in to Tal Vez Coffee next door and ask.
When visiting Gort, don’t miss The Cash Shop gallery. A contemporary art space artist Jim Ricks curates next door to Tal Vez Coffee. As Jim himself puts it, this space is “an experimental centre for community engagement, public art, exhibitions, and skill sharing.”
Discover more here.
above: photo courtesy Kava - Kinvara Area Visual Arts
KAVA - Kinvara Area Visual Arts
Entry fee: free
Address: The Old Courthouse, Courthouse Road, Kinvara.
Opening hours: Please see their website for current exhibition opening hours.
A community based arts group in and around the Kinvara area, KAVA - Kinvara Area Visual Arts work to promote the visual arts and artists by embracing creativity in the local community. Art exhibitions hosted by KAVA take place in the Courthouse with additional pop-up exhibitions in locations around the village.
Discover more here.
126 Artist-Run Gallery
Entry fee: free
Address: 15 St Bridget's Place, Bohermore, Galway City.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 12-6pm / Closed Monday and Tuesday.
This is an artist-led, not-for-profit organisation integral to Galway’s visual arts scene that is a supporter of emerging, risk-taking, contemporary visual art. Run voluntarily by a Board of Directors, professional artists and curators with support from Galway City Council, The Arts Council of Ireland and Creative Ireland.
Discover more here.
Áras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne Inis Oírr
Entry fee: free
Address: Inis Oírr, Aran Islands.
Opening hours: Please visit their website for more information.
Europe’s most westerly arts centre, Áras Éanna is a multi-functioning arts space that includes an artists studio space, a 75-seat theatre, two galleries, a café and various rooms and spaces for workshops and classes. They host a mix of national and international visual and conceptual artists, continuously running exhibitions all year round.
Discover more here.
above: Daróg Wine Bar
Honourable mentions:
Daróg Wine Bar
Entry fee: free
Address: 56 Dominick St Lower, Galway City.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5-11pm / Friday to Sunday 3-11pm / Closed Sunday.
Supporters of all small independent creators, at Daróg Wine Bar it's not just the wine and food that is exquisite. Their new gallery wall features the gorgeous creations of local artists. The artwork on display will rotate every 6-8 weeks and will also be available to purchase in the wine bar. They also host creative talks with the displaying artists, these events 'Le Chéile' provide fun opportunities to engage in vibrant conversation.
Discover more here.
Plámás
Entry fee: free
Address: 6 Dominick Street Upper, Galway City.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 8am-5pm / Sunday 10am-5pm.
Proudly Galwegian, Plámás is an independent coffee shop promoting the work of local artists and craftspeople. The prints on display are all available for purchase and make for the perfect gift for the art lover in your life.
Discover more here.
Gallery Café
Entry fee: free
Address: 3 Market Square, Ballyhugh, Gort.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am-4pm / Friday & Saturday 10am-9pm.
The Gallery Café restaurant and art gallery is located in a restored building that dates from 1820. A delightful blend of great-tasting food and stunning artwork, their staff are passionate about serving delicious and innovative dishes that showcase local ingredients, while the art exhibitions highlight the work of talented local artists.
Discover more here.
Feature photo of Outset Gallery, by Julie McLoughlin.
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