The Model

About the museum

The Model stands in a former Model School, an Italian-Romanesque building designed by James H. Owen and opened in 1863. It was meant to give a basic education to all denominations, but a boycott called by Catholic bishops left it mainly Protestant. The school gave up the building in 1976, and later it housed offices including the post office, the library and a government department before it stood empty in 1988.

In the early 1990s a public meeting led to the foundation of the Model Arts Centre, which became known for exhibitions and later added performance, music and literature. In the late 1990s the building was renovated to create a permanent home for the Niland Collection, a body of Irish art assembled around Nora Niland, the former Sligo county librarian. The renovated centre reopened in 2000 and an extension was added in 2010.

Today the galleries show six curated exhibitions from the Niland Collection each year, with a focus on Jack B. Yeats and the Yeats family in summer, alongside contemporary exhibitions. The building also has a café, a shop, a theatre and studio spaces.

Highlights

• The Niland Collection of Irish art with works by Jack B. Yeats, Paul Henry and Louis le Brocquy
• Contemporary exhibitions in the galleries
• Free gallery entry
• Victorian Model School building with a modern extension
• Café, shop and theatre in the same building

Permanent exhibition

• The Niland Collection – Six curated displays a year from the collection of Irish art, with a Yeats focus in June, July and August; call ahead to see particular works.

Founded

2001

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Gallery entry is free. Some events, screenings and concerts are ticketed.

Accessibility

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

The Model aims to be fully accessible, but some access issues are still being addressed. The lift between the café level and the atrium is out of order until repairs expected in 2026; step-free access is then through the Connaughton Road entrance, where a lift beside the stairs leads down to Reception, and staff can also assist through a side door on the Mall side if you ring the bell. Accessible toilets (with baby changing) on several levels. Two accessible parking spaces beside the building (private driveway off The Mall) and one space in Connaughton Road car park. Trained guide, hearing and assistance animals are welcome. Contact the staff in advance on +353 71 914 1405.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The website has a family programme, including events such as a Bump & Baby morning, and pages for children, young people and schools. Baby changing is available in the accessible toilets.

Getting there & parking

Nine bicycle spaces are at the Connaughton Road entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café on the Mall side of the building, run by Foam Bundoran. Shop on the ground floor beside front of house. Public lockers beside the ground-floor toilets.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

A venue hire section is listed on the website; no room details are given.

Plan your visit