Douglas Hyde Gallery

About the museum

The Douglas Hyde Gallery was co-founded in 1978 by the Arts Council of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin. It opened on 1 March 1978 with an exhibition by the painter Jo Baer. It was the first publicly funded contemporary art space in Ireland and the first university gallery in the country. It is named after Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland and a Trinity graduate.

The gallery is on the first floor of the Arts Building at Trinity College, just inside the Nassau Street entrance at the bottom of Dawson Street. It has two exhibition spaces, Gallery 1 and Gallery 2, and a lower level, and shows a changing programme of contemporary art. Admission is always free, and the gallery is closed between exhibitions while the next show is installed.

The gallery is a registered charity governed by a board, which is also its membership, and is supported by the Arts Council and Trinity. Alongside exhibitions it runs events, talks and learning programmes, including programmes for students and educators, and a bookshop at the reception desk. Georgina Jackson is the director.

Highlights

• Free exhibitions of contemporary art
• Ireland’s first university gallery, opened in 1978
• Two gallery spaces plus a lower level in Trinity College’s Arts Building
• Bookshop at the reception desk
• Talks, events and learning programmes

Founded

1978

Operated by

Arts Council of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin (registered charity)

Director

Georgina Jackson

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is always free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The front door is at first-floor level of the Arts Building. A 16-step cantilevered staircase leads to Gallery 1, and Gallery 2 and a lower level are reached by three steps or a ramp. A lift serves the lower floors of the gallery in the Arts Building. Toilets and accessible toilets are on the ground floor of the Arts Building, and gender-neutral toilets are on the third, fourth and fifth floors. Folding chairs are available on request at the front desk, and assistance animals are welcome. Large-print materials, exhibition transcripts and captions (where possible) are available, Irish Sign Language interpretation for events needs two weeks’ notice, and relaxed sessions with adjusted lighting and sound can be arranged.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are on the ground floor of the Arts Building.

Getting there & parking

The gallery is just inside the Nassau Street entrance to Trinity College, at the bottom of Dawson Street. Parking information for Trinity College is linked on the gallery website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The bookshop is at the reception desk on the first floor.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The gallery accepts rental enquiries through its gallery manager.

Plan your visit