Dublin Gallery Weekend returns from 6–9 November 2025, featuring over 100 artists across 20 venues throughout Ireland's capital. Founded in 2023 by the Contemporary Art Gallery Association, the event connects small, independent galleries with established institutions. The Art Newspaper highlights five must-see shows, including Cecilia Vicuña's 'Reverse Migration' at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Isabel Nolan's 'Look at the Harlequins!' at Kerlin Gallery, Alan Butler's 'Assets' at Green on Red, and a group show 'Kwaidan - Encounters with Lafcadio Hearn' at SO Fine Art Editions, among others.
The event matters because it spotlights Dublin's vibrant but often overlooked independent gallery scene, fostering connections between lesser-known spaces and major institutions. It also underscores Ireland's growing international art presence, with Isabel Nolan set to represent Ireland at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026 and Cecilia Vicuña receiving her first Irish exhibition. The programming emphasizes bold, experimental work that engages with pressing themes like ecological collapse, digital culture, and historical memory.