What Art and Artists Can You See at Hugh Lane Gallery?

Updated

Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin holds a collection of modern and contemporary art, shown through both temporary and permanent exhibitions and installations. If you want to know what you'll actually see on a visit, the answer depends on two things: the permanent collection and installations on display in the galleries, and whatever temporary exhibitions are running under "What's On" at the time you go. The gallery's own site describes the collection as "extraordinary," spanning modern and contemporary work, so a visit combines a standing collection with a changing programme rather than a single fixed hang.

The permanent collection and installations

The gallery's core offer is its modern and contemporary art collection, brought to view through permanent exhibitions and installations. This is the part of the visit you can count on regardless of when you arrive, and it's the reason the gallery is described as holding a collection rather than simply hosting shows.

The site groups this under Art & Artists, which is the section to browse if you want to know which artists and works form the collection before you visit. The page evidence available here confirms the section exists and that the collection is modern and contemporary in character, but it does not list individual artists or works, so the specific names are best checked directly in that section of the site.

Temporary exhibitions under "What's On"

The changing part of the programme sits under What's On. This is where temporary exhibitions and installations are featured, and it's the section that will differ from one visit to the next. If your reason for going is a particular exhibition, check What's On first, because the temporary programme is what rotates.

The page evidence also shows that What's On carries events beyond exhibitions, including a Sunday concert series (the listing references a performance by Fionnuala Moynihan) and an annual Transition Year Programme with an open call for students and teachers. These are useful to know about if you're planning around a specific date, but they are events rather than collection displays.

Where to look for each type of art

What you want to see Where it's covered on the site
Modern and contemporary collection, artists and works Art & Artists
Permanent exhibitions and installations Art & Artists and the gallery's exhibition information
Temporary exhibitions and current displays What's On
Concerts, talks and learning programmes What's On and Explore & Learn

Practical points before you go

  • Check What's On before travelling if a specific temporary exhibition is your main reason for visiting, since that programme changes.
  • Use Art & Artists to plan around the collection if you want to see modern and contemporary works and permanent installations.
  • Explore & Learn is the section for educational content and programmes, including the annual Transition Year Programme open call for students and teachers.
  • The available site information does not state opening hours, ticket prices or whether booking is required, so confirm these on hughlane.ie before your visit rather than assuming free entry or walk-in access.

In short: you can expect a modern and contemporary art collection presented through permanent exhibitions and installations, plus a rotating set of temporary exhibitions listed under What's On. The site's Art & Artists and What's On sections are the two places to confirm exactly which artists and shows are on view for your dates.