National Irish Visual Arts Library
Site Online catalogue

By artists, for artists

An intricate, sculptural artist's book with folded, textured black and white pages, partially opened with purple ribbon ties.
green fabric sample overlaid on a matching painted background
painting of a 3D form with colourful graphic blocks
woman sculpting a clay bust in a studio
floral patterned wallpaper sample in a wallpaper sample book
A patchwork cape hung on a display stand features design in gold and black fabrics.
artwork featuring two dark circles side by side, with fine white line details
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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