Celebrate National Drawing Day in Tipperary
This May, the island of Ireland becomes a giant sketchbook as National Drawing Day returns on Saturday, May 16. Co-ordinated by the National Gallery of Ireland in partnership with over 50 museums, galleries, arts centres and libraries across the country, this annual tradition invites everyone from seasoned sketchers to first-time doodlers to get creative.
Free events in Tipperary and across the island of Ireland
Highlights of National Drawing Day 2026 include:
•Portrait drawing workshops with Annie Hogg starting from 11am at the South Tipperary Arts Centre
•Creative embossed jewellery workshop from 11am-1pm at the Hunt Museum, Limerick
•Drawing fundmentals class at The Glucksman, Cork
•Live portrait sketching session with artist Catherine Creaven from 2pm at the Galway City Museum
•Animal themed art classes for children at Airfield, Dublin
•Manuscript decorating workshop at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Dublin
•Sketching masterclass at the Newry and Mourne Museum, Derry
Events at the National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland will host a packed programme of free events for every kind of artist. Kicking off the day, artist Fintan Mahon will lead a vibrant life drawing session in the historic Shaw Room. Meanwhile, for those seeking a more tranquil experience, the Education Studio will be transformed into a quiet drawing haven. Outdoors, our front lawn will become an open-air studio with facilitated en plein air sketching and face painting inspired by favourite artworks from the Gallery’s collection. Throughout the gallery, visitors can watch as artists including Bríd Higgins Ní Chinnéide and Carl Hickey create drawings live. Free drawing kits will be available to borrow throughout the day, and don’t miss a 10% National Drawing Day discount in the Gallery Shop.
In the Library & Archive Reading Rooms, a special pop-up display will reveal rarely-seen sketches and drawings from the Gallery’s own archives, shining a light on how drawing has always been at the heart of artistic practice.
Can’t Make It in Person? Join Online!
For those who can’t attend in person, a dedicated online hub at nationalgallery.ie features a full list of participating venues, the day’s schedule at the National Gallery of Ireland, and a wealth of creative resources to enjoy wherever you are.