Volunteer Artwork of the Month

The National Gallery of Ireland is proud of its panel of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers play an important role in many areas of the Gallery, from welcoming our visitors as they enter the Gallery to showing that anyone can be an artist in the Creative Space. They ensure that the Gallery is consistently offering an outstanding visitor experience. In return, Gallery volunteers deepen their knowledge of art, develop a variety of skills, meet like-minded art enthusiasts, and more. Our volunteers are often the first point of contact for people who come into the Gallery. As part of a new series, we're asking our volunteers to share the artwork they tell visitors not to miss when exploring the Gallery for the first time. 

Moirín Moynihan chose Gareth Reid's 2017 portrait of Graham Norton - Broadcaster, Comedian, Actor and Writer. 

What do you like about this artwork? Does it have any personal significance for you?

I think this is must-see for visitors during their trip. I visited the Gallery shortly after this painting was hung in the Portrait Gallery in 2017 and I still recall my surprise and delight, which remains with me today, at the portrayal of Graham Norton in this very lovely setting. Norton is such public persona and here he's captured, not with big bright London lights, but in a meditative state. Sitting at ease on a white wicker chair with a beautiful marine-coloured backdrop, he appears to invite the viewer to slow down and pause. The work always draws me in. I never pass through the Portrait Gallery without a ‘Namaste moment’ in front of it.

What do you enjoy about volunteering at the Gallery?

I love working in a space with our national treasures. After a career in law, I am privileged to be in a place I can unlock new passions. I get to be around people with various backgrounds who all come in for the love of art. I am now pursuing further education in Art History at Trinity, something that Gallery has encouraged me to pursue! I must say I particularly like to practice my Italian language skills at the desk! 

Thanks, Moirín! Gareth Reid's portrait of Graham Norton is not currently on display, but stop by our Portrait Gallery to see the finalists in this year's AIB Portrait Prize, for which Gareth Reid was one of the judges!

You can read more about the Gallery's Volunteer Programme here. 

Please note that we are not currently seeking volunteers - our next callout will be in 2026.