Frequently Asked Questions

Luan Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 5pm. We are closed on Mondays.

Entry to the gallery is free. Some workshops, talks, or events may require booking or a small fee.

Luan Gallery does not currently have an on-site coffee shop. However, there are many cafés and coffee shops within walking distance, located throughout Athlone’s Cultural Quarter and across the town.

To help protect the artworks, food or drink is not permitted in any of the gallery spaces. Visitors arriving with food or drinks will be kindly asked to leave these items at the reception desk before continuing their visit.

To help protect the artworks, school bags, backpacks, and large shopping bags are not permitted in the gallery spaces and must be left in the secure storage cupboards near reception. We appreciate your cooperation.

Yes, Our Public Wifi is Luan Library Gall. Ask the person at reception for the password.

Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial purposes only. It is the visitor’s responsibility to ensure no copyright is infringed. The use of flash is prohibited.

Complete the residency enquiry form by clicking here, contact Luan Gallery on +353 906442154 or join our mailing list for details of residency calls for submissions.

Complete the booking form by clicking here or contact Luan Gallery on +353 906442154

Explore our What’s On, join our mailing list or contact Luan Gallery on +353 906442154 for details of upcoming events in Abbey Road Artists Studios.

The studios are located on the ground floor, and the community space can be accessed via a platform lift.

The studios are located in the former workhouse building on Abbey Road, opposite Abbey Road Graveyard. The artist studios are on the ground floor and can be visited by arranging an appointment directly with a resident artist. Vacant studios can be viewed by prior arrangement with Luan Gallery. The community space is on the first floor. You can get directions here.

The studios are non-residential, bright, and fully equipped with power, heating, water, a sink, table, chair, Wi-Fi, shared toilets and refuse collection. Studio members also enjoy 24-hour access and free on-site parking.

We have four artist studios, ranging in size from 16 to 20 square metres.

Practicing adult artists of any nationality are welcome to apply for this residency; however, they must reside in Athlone or within the specified geographical area in the Midlands of Ireland, as the studios are subsidised by public funding to support artists living in Ireland.

Residency options are for Short-term (0-3 months), Medium-term (4-12 months) or Long-term (from 13 months up to a maximum of 2 years and 9 months).

Abbey Road Artists residencies area resource for visual artists of all disciplines primarily living or working in Athlone, Westmeath, South Roscommon or neighbouring counties of Offaly, Longford and East Galway. Artists must be at least 18 years old to apply for a residency.

This space is bookable, and the rates outlined below are payable in advance

€30.00 – 1.5 hrs

€45 – 2 hrs

€55 – half day (3.5 hrs)

€80 full day (7.5 hrs)

Yes, any group or individual hiring the space must provide a copy of their Public Liability indemnifying Athlone Arts & Tourism and Westmeath County Council in advance by email to secure the booking.

Tables, chairs, Wifi, sink, kettle, toilet, lift.

Complete and submit the booking form above.

A variety of community cultural events, including exhibitions, launches, classes, workshops, talks, recitals, training and meetings.

Artists, Community Groups, Festivals & Event Committees, Creative Practitioners & Groups, Workshop facilitators, Heritage & Cultural organisations

Athlone Arts and Tourism, a company established by Westmeath County Council, manages the operation of Luan Gallery, Abbey Road Artists’ Studios and Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.

The operation of the gallery and Abbey Road Studios is wholly subsidised by Westmeath County Council. Exhibitions and outreach programming support is primarily received from the Arts Council, and specific projects are supported by Creative Ireland and other funding streams.

The Fr Mathew Hall was built in 1897. It was built as a temperance hall to promote a sober work force for the Athlone Woolen Mills, for boxing matches and early slide shows. It was also the venue for the early productions of Athlone Musical Society.

The 575m² gallery space was designed by Keith Williams Architects whose other projects include the Wexford Opera House, the Novium Chichester Museum, and the Marlowe Theatre. Luan Gallery won both the RIAI Best Cultural Building Award 2013 and the coveted Civic Choice award in 2014.

Following an extensive public consultation back in 2012, Athlone’s new contemporary art gallery was named the Luan Gallery. The name Luan comes from the Irish for Athlone ‘Baile Áth Luain”. Several versions of the name ‘Luan’ appear in early Irish literature. A popular version of the history of the name involves the town’s first entrepreneur, Luan Mac Luighdeach (or Luan the son of Lewy), who lived at the end of the first century. It is believed that he ran an inn close to the river and frequently guided travellers across the waters. In time, the crossing became known as ‘Áth Luain’ or ‘the Ford of Luan’. Other suggestions are that Luan is derived from ‘Luna’, which is Latin for moon.

Yes, artists’ fees are calculated in line with organisational budgets and VAI (Visual Artists Ireland) guidelines.

Luan Gallery only accepts submissions from artists during designated Open Calls, which are announced periodically. To stay informed about upcoming Open Calls, including submission guidelines and deadlines, please join our mailing list and follow us on social media or check our website for announcements.
This way, you’ll be among the first to know when opportunities to exhibit become available.

Luan Gallery offers several opportunities to meet the artists behind our exhibitions. Visitors can meet artists at exhibition launches, as well as during talks, guided tours, and special events that include Q&A sessions.

Please ask at reception if any artworks in the current exhibition are available for purchase. Luan Gallery often sells selected exhibiting artwork on behalf of artists, although some works may not be for sale.

The gallery closes for a short period—usually 7–8 days—to allow for the safe removal of the previous exhibition and the carful installation of new artworks. This ensures each exhibition is presented to the highest standard.

Exhibitions change over approximately every two months.

No, Luan Gallery does not have its own art collection.

Luan Gallery considers corporate and community launch requests on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the current exhibition, available resources, and the gallery’s ethos. To make an inquiry, email info@luangallery.ie
or call 090 6442154 for more information.information.

You can email the reception at info@luangallery.ie or phone the reception at 090 6442154 to book a school visit. Please be ready to state the group details such as size of group, date that you wish for tour to take place on, age of the students, etc. We also cater for tours for Leaving Cert students who wish to use the gallery as a study aid for exams. Group booking terms and conditions apply, such as teacher/ student ratios etc.

All group tours must be booked in advance. To book a group tour, please email reception at info@luangallery.ie, call 090 6442154 or complete our group booking form. When booking, be ready to provide details such as group size, preferred date, and the ages of visitors. Please note that group booking terms and conditions apply.

Yes, Luan Gallery is fully accessible. The main entrance is wide enough for wheelchairs and buggies, and the double doors leading into the New Gallery and Library Gallery can be opened to allow easy access. A lift located behind the reception desk provides access to the lower ground floor, and accessible toilet facilities are available on site.
If you need any assistance during your visit, our staff will be happy to help.

There are four bus parking bays on Elliot Road, opposite Luan Gallery.

We have male and female accessible toilets located on the lower ground floor. The female toilets also have a changing unit for babies. All toilet doors open outward.

Only registered guide dogs and support dogs are welcome in the gallery. Dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Pay and display on street parking is available close by at St Peter’s Square, and O’Connell Street Car Park.