Welcome to The National Irish Visual Arts Library

The National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) is a public research resource dedicated to the documentation of 20th and 21st century Irish visual art and design. 

NIVAL collects, stores and makes accessible for research an unparalleled collection of documentation about Irish art in all media.  NIVAL's collection policy includes Irish visual art from the whole island as well as Irish art abroad and non-Irish artists working in Ireland.   Information is acquired on artists, designers, galleries, arts organisations and institutions, critics and other related subjects.  The collection contains documentary material in all formats including books, catalogues, videos, slides, artists' papers and ephemera in print and digital format.

NIVAL Update, March 2023: Reader Access Days

NIVAL is open for reader's appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays opening hours 10am - 5pm. Access to NIVAL is strictly by appointment only. Please see our Opening Hours and Access page for details on how NIVAL is facilitating safe access to collection materials and how to request an appointment.