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Wednesday 12pm - 5pm Thursday 12pm - 6pm Friday 12pm - 5pm Saturday 12pm - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm

The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art

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The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art

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Unique space to see and learn about contemporary art, located on the campus of Trinity College Dublin All are welcome, admission free.
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The Douglas Hyde Gallery, founded in 1978, is an independent organization co-funded by Trinity College and the Arts Council. Our exhibition programme includes shows by major contemporary international artists as well as by emerging Irish artists, and we occasionally hold exhibitions of ethnographic and craft artifacts. The Douglas Hyde Gallery publishes books and catalogues that are known and distributed all over the world, and from time to time we host musical events.

22/10/2026

SAVE THE DATE ⁠
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Opening Friday, November 6th | 6-8pm⁠
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We hope you can join us for the opening of Well, well, well, a solo exhibition by renowned Estonian sculptor Edith Karlson, and The Artist's Eye: Olivia Normile.⁠
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Well, well, well is the first solo exhibition in Ireland by Edith Karlson. One of the most compelling sculptural voices in Europe today, Karlson represented Estonia at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2024, to wide acclaim. Celebrated for her emotionally resonant, technically accomplished large-scale installations, Karlson works with armatures and clay to create otherworldly sculptures of humans, animals and hybrid beings. The exhibition takes as its starting point the well, an ancient site of spiritual pilgrimage, and responds in part to the mystical well that lies beneath the Gallery on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin. ⁠
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Acknowledging the crucial role artists play in influencing and shaping other artistic practices, The Artist’s Eye series asks those exhibiting in Gallery 1 to invite an artist of influence to present work in Gallery 2. In this instalment, Edith Karlson has invited Irish artist Olivia Normile. Slow-making and repetition lay bare material elements, labour, and overlooked narratives in Normile's work. Animals frequently appear as central figures, acting as counterpoints to the human perspective.⁠
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Opening as part of Dublin Gallery Weekend, Well, well, well has been commissioned by The Douglas Hyde, and realised in partnership with the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art and supported by The Estonian Ministry for Culture, the Henry Moore Foundation and the Embassy of Estonia in Dublin.⁠
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Image 1: Edith Karlson, Well, well, well, charcoal on , (2026). Courtesy of the artist.⁠
Image 2: Olivia Normile, Blink (2026). Still image. Courtesy of the artist.⁠

Click here to learn more about the exhibition: https://thedouglashyde.ie/exhibition/edith-karlson/

19/10/2026

OPPORTUNITY ⁠
Open Call - 2027 Student Forum⁠
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The Douglas Hyde is delighted to announce an open call for applications for our 2027 Student Forum. This exciting opportunity is open to all recent graduates and third-level students from all fields of study and across all institutions on the island of Ireland.

The group will work with The Douglas Hyde over 12 months, engaging with and responding to the exhibitions programme. Through regular group meetings, particpants share ideas, learn new skills and devise and present public events, workshops and tours. The group also meet invited curators, exhibiting artists, and visit exhibitions together.

Throughout the year, the Student Forum members bring their own research and artistic practices into reflections on the artworks they see, as well as an enquiry into the possibilities of the gallery space.
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The Student Forum will run from January – December 2027. To apply, click here: https://thedouglashyde.ie/student-forum-open-call-2027/
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Deadline for applications: Monday, 16th November at 5pm.⁠

Image Credit: The Student Forum, The Conditions of Being Here, 2026. Opening Night at The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art, Dublin, September 2026. Photo: Evanna Devine.

12/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening of The Conditions of Being Here, an exhibition organised by the 2026 cohort of the Student Forum. ⁠
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Reflecting the group’s exchange of ideas and perspectives throughout the year, the exhibition explored the ways that the members navigate, shape, and become influenced by their environments – urban and rural, imagined and physical. ⁠
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Exhibition participants: ⁠
Rofaida Al'Qaisi
Melek Biberoğlu⁠
Gillian Boardman ⁠
Ciara Davitt
Páddy Dennan
Sean Farrell
Jack Galligan
Berenice Guerrero⁠
Alba Molina
Emma Murphy
James Wellwood
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Alongside a live performance on the night by Pesci Tooth, we were treated to hospitality by Peggie McKeown and Jack Halpin-Doyle. A special thanks to Whiplash B**rs for kindly sponsoring the event. ⁠
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This event was supported by The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport as part of the Night-Time Economy After Hours at the Museum scheme and Dublin by Dusk.⁠
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Images: Opening Night at The Conditions of Being Here, The Douglas Hyde, 2026. Courtesy of the artists and The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art. Photo: Evanna Devine.

30/09/2026

We'd like to thank everyone who attended the glorious return of Miss Powder Vacuum in the Gallery on Culture Night!⁠
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Massive congratulations are due to our new MPV queen, Rose of Traleeyse, who stole hearts and displayed her dazzling array of talents on the night. ⁠
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A special mention to our incredible contestants, who stunned the audience with their performances and audacious looks: Stella Sylvan, Joanne Joanne, Lightning McQueef, The Count & Robert Von Hart. ⁠
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And a huge thank you to our wonderful host, MC MarianMarythe6th Confirmation Name Jane, who wrangled our contenders with such grace and elegance; thank you to our judges, Tonie Walsh, Andrea Horan, and the returning MPV winner, F***y Split McGee, for their gracious consideration. ⁠
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Special shout-out to the dynamic duo 2muchbootyinthebooth for soundtracking the night, and to Daylight Glasnevin for the use of their new sound system. The event was very kindly sponsored by Zingibeer. Thank you to Dylan Gomery for capturing the mayhem on camera.⁠
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And the biggest congratulations to Bill Harris for expertly organising such a beautifully chaotic evening for Culture Night - The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Éalaíon in partnership with the Department of Culture, Communication and Sport under the Night Time Economy Taskforce under the Culture Night Late Award. Supported by Dublin Fringe Festival X field:arts.⁠
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Image credits to Dylan Gomery.

24/09/2026

OPENING TONIGHT⁠
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The Conditions of Being Here | Student Forum 2026 ⁠
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Join us this evening for the opening of The Conditions of Being Here, a group exhibition organised by the members of the 2026 Student Forum.⁠
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Finding themselves at a critical juncture between the relative structure of academic life and the possibilities of the world beyond, the works in the exhibition examine how we understand the spaces around us and our own capacities to reframe or reshape them in a new light. Working across diverse mediums, from sculpture, painting, print, and performance, each artist seeks to carve out space in the world around them. ⁠
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The exhibition opens tonight, Thursday 24 September at 6pm. We will have a very special opening performance this evening by artist Pesci Tooth at 6:30pm, and invited artists Peggie McKeon and Jack Halpin-Doyle will host a welcome for attendees through shared food and drink. ⁠
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A special thanks to Whiplash B**r for sponsoring refreshments for this evening. ⁠
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This event is is supported by The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport as part of the Night-Time Economy After Hours at the Museum scheme and Dublin by Dusk.⁠
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Poster credit to Pádraig Dennan.

22/09/2026

EVENT | PERFORMANCE⁠
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Saturday September 26th, 1-2:30pm⁠
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In conjunction with the Student Forum 2026 exhibition The Conditions of Being Here, artist Jack Galligan will activate the gallery space through a durational performance of his work Everyone is Secretly Expecting That Something Beautiful Will Happen to Them.⁠
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Using the body as a means through which space is negotiated and produced, this performance sees the gallery become a site of tension, spectacle, and social encounter in. Unfolding as an improvised series of vignette style poses backed by the constant running of a Henry Hoover, Galligan repeatedly begins the performance but never quite resolves our expectations for it. ⁠
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The event is free and all are welcome to attend.⁠
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Image: Jack Galligan, Everyone is Secretly Expecting That Something Beautiful Will Happen to Them, (2026), performance view. Image by Dylan Gomery.

21/09/2026

The Conditions of Being Here | Opening Event⁠
Thursday 24 September | 6-8PM⁠
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We're looking forward to welcoming you to the Gallery this Thursday for a special opening event in conjunction with our 2026 Student Forum Exhibition, The Conditions of Being Here.⁠
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This invites visitors to explore how places are made through listening, gathering, and hosting.⁠
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Performance by Pesci Tooth, 6:30pm: Artist Pesci Tooth presents a new work, performed through a hand-built plate reverb and sound synthesis with field recordings gathered across natural environments, industrial estates and suburban spaces. The work invites listeners to consider what remains of a place once it has been recorded, displaced, and transmitted elsewhere.⁠
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Reception Hospitality: Invited artists Peggie McKeon and Jack Halpin-Doyle curate a welcome for visitors through shared food, drink, and gestures that centre hosting as a way to create space for people to come together in a warm and welcoming environment. ⁠
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This event is is supported by The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport as part of the Night-Time Economy After Hours at the Museum scheme and Dublin by Dusk.

17/09/2026

We're getting ready for the glorious return of Miss Powder Vacuum tomorrow evening...⁠
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This event is now fully booked, and doors open at 7pm. ⁠
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As this is a free event with huge interest, we highly recommend arriving early to secure your spot. You will just need to provide your name at the door. ⁠
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After 7.20pm tickets will be reallocated on a first come first served basis. The event will start at 7.30pm sharp, with limited entry after this time. ⁠
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We will be treated to a fabulous display of music, live performance, and costume, with the next MPV being crowned by 10pm. ⁠
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Special thanks to Zingibeer for generously supporting the event with a limited number of free drinks upon arrival. Thank you to Daylight for providing their new sound system for the event. ⁠
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This event is curated by artist Bill Harris⁠ for Culture Night - The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Éalaíon in partnership with Department of Culture, Communication and Sport under the Night Time Economy Taskforce under the Culture Night Late Award. Supported by Dublin Fringe Festival X field:arts.

14/09/2026

We are delighted to welcome Rachael Gunning to the team as the fifth Provost’s Curatorial Fellow at The Douglas Hyde. This fellowship offers recent graduates of Trinity College Dublin () the opportunity to work within the gallery over a period of twelve months. ⁠
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Provost Linda Doyle notes, "I want to warmly congratulate Rachael Gunning on receiving the Provost’s Fellowship in Curating at The Douglas Hyde Gallery. Rachael brings great passion and creativity to the role, and I am delighted to see her take up this position. Over the years, the Provost’s Fellowship has enabled outstanding curators and artists to bring their unique perspectives to The Douglas Hyde Gallery, enriching its programmes and activities. I am very much looking forward to seeing how Rachael’s already impressive ambition will contribute to the Gallery’s continued success."⁠
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On her appointment, Rachael says, “I am hugely grateful to the Provost Linda Doyle, and to the team at the Douglas Hyde for this opportunity to develop my curatorial practice. With the Gallery’s commitment to supporting artists and its exceptional international outlook, this Fellowship offers an unparalleled experience to develop key skills in a supportive environment. I’m very excited to continue working with the team, contribute to exhibition programming, and cultivate my research skills this year.” ⁠
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Director Georgina Jackson states, “We are delighted to welcome Rachael to The Douglas Hyde team. Her curiosity, insight and commitment to contemporary art brings great energy to the gallery. Opportunities such as this fellowship are vital in nurturing the next generation of curators, and we are deeply grateful to the Provost for her continued and generous support of this fellowship and to investing in the next generation of curators.”⁠
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Image 1: Rachael Gunning, Provost's Curatorial Fellow; ⁠
Image 2: Georgina Jackson, Gallery Director; Rachael Gunning, Provost's Curatorial Fellow; Linda Doyle, Provost; and Rachel McIntyre, Gallery Manager. Photography Evanna Devine.

08/09/2026

SAVE THE DATE ⁠
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Student Forum Exhibition | opening Thursday, 24th September at 6pm ⁠
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Open 25th - 28th September, 12-5pm⁠
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We hope you can join for our forthcoming exhibition organised by members of the 2026 Student Forum, a group of students and recent graduates who engage with The Douglas Hyde and its programming over a period of twelve months.⁠
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Reflecting the group’s exchange of ideas and perspectives throughout the year, the exhibition reveals the ways that the members navigate, shape, and become influenced by their environments – urban and rural, imagined and physical. To be somewhere is to encounter conditions that were already there, calling into question structures of access, ownership, architecture, expectation and behaviour.⁠
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This event is is supported by The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport as part of the Night-Time Economy After Hours at the Museum scheme and Dublin by Dusk.

Address

Arts Building, Trinity College (Nassau Street Entrance)
Dublin
DUBLIN2

Opening Hours

Wednesday	12pm - 5pm
Thursday	12pm - 6pm
Friday	12pm - 5pm
Saturday	12pm - 5pm
Sunday	12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+35318961116

Website

https://thedouglashyde.ie/

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