Membership Benefits

Due to ongoing COVID-19 measures, we have adapted our membership benefits to ensure that Friends can continue to engage with and enjoy the national collection. 

Although we cannot hold in-person events in the Gallery, we are bringing the Gallery to you through a rich variety of digital events and content.

See current membership benefits here

Below, we have listed the benefits you can enjoy once COVID-19 measures are lifted:

• Free unlimited entry to all ticketed exhibitions*
• Access to the Members’ Room overlooking Merrion Square. Open during Gallery hours, with tea and coffee facilities and free wifi**
• Early bird booking for selected Gallery events
• Exclusive members-only events offering deeper engagement with your national collection and special ‘hear-it-first’ knowledge
• Members-only discounts:
  • 10% discount in Gallery Shop (15% Christmas shopping day discount)
  • 10% discount in Gallery Café
  • 10% discount on Gallery events such as Tipple with Art, and more
  • 10% discount on customised prints
  • 20% discount on selected Education events associated with temporary exhibitions
  • Discounts on movie screenings (including a 10-minute talk on a related artwork)

* Pre-booking essential. See FAQs for further information.
** Very occasionally, the Members’ Room may be temporarily unavailable. Members will be alerted in advance.

Onsite events you can enjoy when COVID-19 measures are lifted.

Gallery-based free events:

• Monthly welcome tour for new members – pre-booking required
• Monthly ‘artwork in focus’ talks – pre-booking required
• Previews of selected exhibitions – pre-booking required
• Exclusive art appreciation lunchtime lecture series on Wednesdays. Spring and autumn, 20 talks in total.

Gallery-based ticketed events (including refreshments):

• Annual evening lecture with the Director of the National Gallery of Ireland
• Curators’ evening ‘hear-it-first’ lectures, prior to exhibitions opening to the public
• Gallery Time events, including a talk, tour and afternoon tea
• Behind-the-scenes events with the Library & Archives and Prints & Drawings departments
• Themed evening tours
• Christmas concert in the Gallery’s magnificent Shaw Room
• A range of special events during Friends Fortnight at the Gallery

Offsite ticketed events:

• Day trips around Ireland
• Half-day outings to other cultural institutions
• Walking tours
• Irish, UK and European overnight trips inspired by the national collection and exhibitions