Celebrate National Drawing Day – An Island-wide Artistic Extravaganza!

This May, the island of Ireland becomes a giant sketchbook as National Drawing Day returns on Saturday, 17 May 2025. Coordinated by the National Gallery of Ireland in partnership with over 60 museums, galleries, arts centres and libraries across 23 counties, this much-loved annual event invites everyone — from seasoned sketchers to first-time doodlers — to pick up a pencil and get creative.

Something for Everyone at the National Gallery

The National Gallery of Ireland will host a packed programme of free events to suit every kind of drawer. Kicking off the day, the inimitable Fintan Mahon will lead a lively life drawing session for adults in the historic Shaw Room, complete with live Irish Sign Language interpretation. Meanwhile, for those seeking a more tranquil experience, the Education Studio will be transformed into a quiet drawing haven. Outdoors, our front lawn becomes an open-air studio with facilitated en plein air sketching.
Throughout the Gallery, visitors can watch as artists Cara Rose Dunne, Michael Wann, and Ciara O’Connor create drawings live — including O’Connor’s striking use of thread as a drawing tool.

Drawings from the Archives and Events for All Ages

In the Library & Archive Reading Rooms, a special pop-up display will reveal rarely-seen sketches and drawings from the Gallery’s own archives, shining a light on how drawing has always been at the heart of artistic practice.
Families are warmly welcomed with face-painting inspired by the national collection, and a joyful drawing session with beloved illustrator Tarsila Krüse. Free drawing kits will be available to borrow throughout the day, and don’t miss a 10% National Drawing Day discount in the Gallery Shop.

Explore Major Exhibitions for Free

Visitors can enjoy free timed access to two major exhibitions:

• Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone: The Art of Friendship (09:15–10:45 & 16:00–17:30, advance booking required)
• An Artist’s Presence, explored through a special public tour at 13:00
• Also on the day: an inclusive ‘Art for Everyone’ tour at 14:30, with ISL interpretation for both tours.

Across Ireland: A Nationwide Programme of Free Events

From Derry to Dingle, the country will buzz with creative energy. Highlights include:

• 3D Drawing Workshop with Laura Kelly at Mermaid Arts Centre (Wicklow)
• Life Drawing for Kids (ages 7–10) at Hugh Lane Gallery (Dublin)
• Outdoor Sketching at Centre for Contemporary Art (Derry)
• Masterclass with Kieron Black (ages 16+) at Down County Museum
• Nature Drawing with Corina Fitzgibbon (ages 7–10) at Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy (Wexford)
• Interactive communal chalk drawing on a mobile horse sculpture with Creative Places (Tipperary)

“Drawing Day is for Everyone” – Join In! Sinéad Rice, Head of Education at the National Gallery of Ireland, said: “This year we celebrate National Drawing Day on 17 May 2025 with a full programme of events at the Gallery and at dozens of partner venues across the island of Ireland and online. Drawing Day is for everyone! Check out your nearest venue, or draw from home, and make your mark this year.”

Can’t Make It in Person? Join Online!

Whether you're at home, in the classroom, or out and about, everyone is invited to get involved in National Drawing Day. For those who can’t attend in person, a dedicated online hub at nationalgallery.ie features a full list of participating venues, the day’s schedule at the National Gallery of Ireland, and a wealth of drawing activities and creative resources to enjoy wherever you are.

ENDS

Media contacts:

• Contact [email protected] for your information.

National Drawing Day 2025 participating venues:

Antrim

Ulster Museum – National Museums NI
Northern Ireland War Memorial
The MAC – Metropolitan Arts Centre

Cavan

Cavan County Museum

Clare

Clare County Museum
Glór

Cork

Backwater Artists Group
Crawford Art Gallery
Fota House, Arboretum and Garden
The Glucksman
Uillinn – West Cork Arts Centre
Derry
Centre for Contemporary Art
Tower Museum

Down

Down County Museum
F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio
Newry and Mourne Museum

Dublin

Ardgillan Castle
Artnet DLR (DLR Artists Network)
Draíocht
Dublinia
Experience Glasnevin
Gerard Byrne Studio
Hugh Lane Gallery
IMMA – Irish Museum of Modern Art
International Literature Festival Dublin
National Gallery of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
National Print Museum
Rathfarnham Castle
RUA RED
Seamus Ennis Arts Centre
Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
The Pearse Museum
United Arts Club (Dublin)

Donegal

Glebe House and Gallery

Fermanagh

Fermanagh County Museum

Kerry

Kerry County Museum

Kildare

Riverbank Arts Centre

Kilkenny

An Chead Tine Art Studios and Gallery
Butler Gallery

Leitrim

The Dock

Limerick

Hunt Museum

Louth

Creative Spark
Highlanes Gallery

Mayo

Ballina Arts Centre

Meath

Solstice Arts Centre

Offaly

Birr Theatre and Arts Centre

Tipperary

Creative Places
Nenagh Arts Centre

Waterford

Garter Lane Arts Centre
Lismore Castle Arts
Southpaw Art Studio

Westmeath

The Luan Gallery

Wexford

Johnstown Castle, Estate, Museum and Gardens
Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy
The Makers House
Wexford Arts Centre

Wicklow

Russborough House
Schoolhouse for Art

About National Drawing Day:

National Drawing Day began at the National Gallery of Ireland in 2004. Since then, the initiative has blossomed, with thousands of people taking part each year all over Ireland. Events, whether onsite, offsite or online, encourage and support access to the arts for all, regardless of age, ability or social circumstances. 
https://www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on/national-drawing-day-2025

About the National Gallery of Ireland: 

The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions housing the nation’s collection of European and Irish art from about 1300 to the present day, and an extensive Library & Archive. Entry to the collection is free for all to enjoy, learn and be inspired. 

• www.nationalgallery.ie   
• LinkedIn: @nationalGalleryofIreland
• Twitter: @NGIreland
• Instagram: @nationalgalleryofireland
• Facebook: @nationalgalleryofireland