New exhibition highlights the work of an incredible female Irish artist

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain is one of the country's most exciting Irish visual artists – and you can see her work right now

Whether you're on the hunt for a date idea or you just want to incorporate a little more culture into your life, we know just the spot.

A powerful exhibition from one of Ireland's most exciting visual artists has landed at the Hugh Lane Gallery. The Dream Pool Intervals by Ailbhe Ní Bhriain has been created especially for the gallery, and it's on show until 28th September.

Five large-scale tapestries are at the centre of The Dream Pool Intervals and they demand to be seen in person. These striking works feature an unlikely cast of people and animals among architectural decay, showcasing Ní Bhriain's signature multi-layered style.

The Dream Pool Intervals explores the fragility of human connection in an increasingly fragmented world, inviting the viewer to experience the anxieties of the current moment and reflect on the history that led us here. Ní Bhriain herself describes the work as a "meditation on the spectre of loss that haunts the contemporary imagination".

As the work touches upon themes of loss, war and climate disaster, it makes for a moving and thought-provoking experience.

After taking in The Dream Pool Intervals, make the most of your visit to the Hugh Lane Gallery by checking out its vast collection of art. Another must-see exhibition currently on show is Bacon's Portraits of Women. This exhibition features pieces by Francis Bacon depicting three women in his social circle during the 1960s - Henrietta Moraes, Muriel Belcher and Isabel Rawsthorne.

Other highlights of the Hugh Lane Gallery's collection include works by huge names in art – Claude Monet, Pierre Bonnard, Sir John Lavery and Mary Swanzy – as well as breath-taking stained glass works and exciting contemporary pieces.

Finish up your visit with a cup of coffee or tea in Fáilte Le Grá Café and a wander through the gallery's bookshop.

Admission to the Hugh Lane Gallery is free. Check out the website for more updates right here.

Featured image: Artist Ailbhe Ní Bhriain at the opening of the exhibition ‘The Dream Pool Intervals’ at Hugh Lane Gallery © Naoise Culhane Photography 2025