The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art

The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art is on the Trinity College campus in central Dublin. Its exhibitions focus on contemporary artists from Ireland and abroad, including artists whose work has been overlooked or marginalised. Two compact gallery spaces bring different exhibitions together, with a spare, industrial feel that suits the work. Check the current programme before you go: artist talks, tours, films and concerts can add another way to engage with an exhibition. Admission is free, so it makes an easy art stop while exploring Trinity College.

A gallery for contemporary art

The Douglas Hyde Gallery opened in 1978 as Dublin’s first publicly funded gallery dedicated to contemporary art. It became independent of Trinity College in 1984. Its programme has included artists from Ireland and abroad, with a focus on work that challenges conventions and on artists who have been overlooked or marginalised.

Irish artists shown here include Sam Keogh, Kathy Prendergast and Eva Rothschild. International artists exhibited at the gallery include Marlene Dumas, Gabriel Kuri and Alice Neel. The programme brings together established names and artists whose work may be less familiar to local audiences.

Two spaces and a year-round programme

The gallery has two compact exhibition spaces. Gallery 1 is the larger, open room; Gallery 2 has been used for smaller exhibitions, including photography, textiles and outsider art. The exhibitions change, so check the current programme to find out what will be on view during your visit.

The annual programme includes major exhibitions alongside artist talks, discussion events, films, concerts and exhibition tours. The gallery has also hosted musical performances, including shows by Cat Power and Sufjan Stevens. Publications are available to browse and buy. If you are visiting Trinity College, admission is free.