National Irish Visual Arts Library
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Legacies in the making, stories for everyone

A coloured cartoon on sketch paper of a stained glass design for a circular rose window. The design features a sacred heart with sword, flames and flowers at the centre surrounded by cherubs. A dove is at the top of the design and at the bottom the words 'Immaculate Heart of Mary be our salvation'.
green fabric sample overlaid on a matching painted background
photograph of an unusual custom bicycle
A vintage photograph of artists sculpting in a studio, surrounded by statues and art tools.
floral patterned wallpaper sample in a wallpaper sample book
Eire 7p stamp artwork
front and reverse detail of a silver and bronze prize medal reading
pencil sketch of a man in profile

NIVAL National Irish Visual Arts Library

About

Dedicated to the documentation of 20th and 21st century Irish visual art and design

Welcome to NIVAL – the National Irish Visual Arts Library. We collect, store and make accessible for research an unparalleled collection of documentation about Irish art. This includes ephemera, catalogues, books, artists’ books, photographs, digital ephemera, artists’ own archives and any materials that give insight into the development of Irish art practice. Our collections include visual art from the whole island of Ireland as well as Irish art abroad and non-Irish artists working in Ireland. Our remit is to actively collect and preserve materials for the country, for the future.

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person handling an archive publication wearing gloves

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archive reading room with desk and map drawers

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black and white contact sheet of old photos of an exhibition opening

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Over 50,000 items

colourful folded paper artwork

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Discover over 150 special collections

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