Galway’s Hidden Galleries: How Cafes and Restaurants Are Showcasing Local Art

By Jordan Lillis

Our beloved cobblestoned city has always spilled over with artists of every description. While we have a thriving gallery scene (including the Galway Arts Centre, The Kenny Gallery, artist-run 126 Gallery and Outset Gallery), there is also an abundance of art popping up on the walls of Galway’s most unique independent hospitality businesses. 

“To keep up with Galway’s prolific creative output, cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops are hosting exhibitions and events, providing not only a much-needed platform but also making art accessible to new audiences through high-quality productions with a DIY attitude,” explains Tom McClean, co-owner of Outset Gallery. 

The reasons for this are multifold, though for many it’s a response to the lack of accessible spaces within the city. “Galway, despite its massive cultural footprint, lacks the well-funded, central municipal gallery one might expect from a capital of culture in the west,” says Tom. “This absence of space likely adds to the city’s nomadic arts scene and the ongoing space race for limited venues forces individuals, collectives, and larger organisations to repurpose unexpected and unused spaces, reimagining where art can be experienced and viewed.”

While local council support for new and existing spaces needs major improvement, it is both refreshing and inspiring to encounter art in so many unexpected places throughout the city.”

Utilising space in a different way

Earlier this year, design B&B The Stop held their first exhibition in a new series entitled No More Art. Featured artist, Ciarán MacChoncarraige, was chosen by owners Emer Fitzpatrick and Russell Hart as part of Outset Gallery’s OXO Awards during their Christmas exhibition.

“I’ve always been attracted to more unusual spaces and figuring out how to make them work,” explains Russell. “We thought it was a great opportunity to create a temporary space in the B&B, and showcase some of the artists that we liked.” 

With a background in fine art and extensive experience in art installation, Russell thinks displaying artwork outside of the traditional gallery space can be exciting. “You’re encountering it when perhaps you didn’t intend to, which can make you read it differently.” It also gives Russell and Emer the opportunity to open their doors to Galway locals, something they’re very excited about.

Championing community collectives

Lighting up Druid Lane is the unique and inventive Éan, perhaps known most affectionately for their decadent Morning Buns.

If you’ve ever looked up from your flat white or glass of wine in Éan, you may have noticed the restaurant’s old brick walls decorated with cool, colourful art in a range of styles. Often, they exhibit the work of local collective, Mother Maker Studios, a collaborative group for mother artists of all disciplines. Members include Suzanne Dolan, Erin Darcy, Margerita Wargola, Jenny Cooper and Sarah Daly.

Artist Jennie O’Connell, who is also a member, curates many of Éan’s exhibitions. She says:

“It can be hard for women (and mothers) to carve out a place for themselves within the world of art.”

“We formed this collective in order to provide a space for encouragement and collaboration. It’s very supportive. We share our resources and materials, and have a WhatsApp group where we critique each other’s work.”

The sense of community in the collective is solidified by their exhibitions in Éan. “Exhibiting here widens accessibility, and makes the art available to a different audience,” continues Jennie. “Someone could come in for a meal, fall in love with your piece and buy it right off the wall. Or they might decide to get in touch with the artist directly about a particular piece, which they can, without having to go through a gallery. That’s also a great opportunity for us.”

Éan isn’t the only restaurant using its walls as a showcase. Earlier this year, Ard Bia’s Aoibheann MacNamara ran her second photographic exhibition in the beloved Spanish Arch spot. The exhibition, Dungeness, which is a coastal desert region in the south of England, featured soft, washed out hues that contrast beautifully with the warm tones of Ard Bia. This was followed by works from painter Jose M. Yagüe Manzanares in July of this year, which are described as “a love letter through his craft to Ireland”. Ard Bia are now hosting works from visual artist Pascal Ungerer, which explore “spatial cultures with a particular focus on peripheral topographies and speculative future landscapes.”

Embracing creativity in local spaces

Daniel Ulrichs, owner of beloved city coffee spot Coffeewerk + Press, has noticed a growing interest in how much creativity is appreciated since he opened almost a decade ago. “Within Irish culture, as far as design and appreciation of design goes, there has been noticeable growth, which is exciting,” he says.

Artwerk Press, Daniel’s small art publishing house, operates out of Coffeewerk, producing work from local and international artists in the form of postcards, greeting cards and prints. They also collaborate with artists like Niamh Swanton, Enda Burke and Eimearjean McCormack on unique designs for coffee cups and bags of coffee beans. “It’s a win- win for everyone – the artists are happy because we pay them for their work and provide a new platform, and customers are happy because they get something new and seasonal,” says Daniel. “It’s a really fun and interesting way of connecting with our customers.”

Art doesn’t just belong in quiet places – given its power to elevate our moods, imaginations and surroundings, shouldn’t it also live among us?

Wider accessibility in Galway results in more exposure for local artists, a greater appreciation for the craft, and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of how art and creativity can better our experiences.