National Drawing Day brings creativity countrywide 

Celebrating the 15th edition of National Gallery of Ireland initiative

On National Drawing Day, Saturday 18 May, the National Gallery of Ireland encourages people to get drawing with a packed day of free events for all ages, across the country. 

Children, families, teens and adults are invited to get creative, with sketching tours, live performances, and workshops on offer in the Gallery’s inspirational spaces in Dublin. 

Or to take part locally at dozens of participating venues countrywide. 

See nationalgallery.ie or look out for Drawing Day activities in a venue near you. 

This is the 15th year of National Drawing Day, first held by the Gallery in 2004 when just three other venues took part. 

This popular annual event now spans 38 local venues around the island of Ireland, including museums, libraries and cultural centres. 

Highlights of the Gallery’s 2019 programme are Outfit of the Era – a creative fashion-based workshop, created by five students from the Gallery’s Transition Year programme; Collective Shape-Making for families – exploring the negative space your body creates; and a sensory drawing workshop for adults who are autistic. 

Other options include life drawing, a print demonstration, and a workshop on interpreting music through art. 

National Drawing Day activities around Ireland include an interactive trail for all ages with artist David Smith at The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, and a drop-in workshop for all ages at Lismore Castle Arts.

Or try drawing with wood and felt at The National Design and Craft Gallery, Kilkenny. 

The Ulster Museum and Mid-Antrim Museum at the Braid will both also offer a National Drawing Day programme.