What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10:30am - 5pm Wednesday 10:30am - 5pm Thursday 10:30am - 5pm Friday 10:30am - 5pm Saturday 10:30am - 5pm

Highlanes Drogheda, Laurence Street, Drogheda (2026)

16/10/2026

𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧
𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘐𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘳𝘺, (𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦) (1992)
Photocollage
56 x 53cm
On loan from Newry and Mourne Museum

Sean Hillen is a Newry-born artist who is best-known for distinctive photo-collages that blend documentary photography with surreal, often satirical and humorous elements. This collage combines religious iconography and family photography with stock imagery.

𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟏 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Focusing on representations of the Irish border in painting, print, photography, film, mixed-media and popular culture, as well as objects and ephemera; this exhibition explores how artists have reacted and responded to the border since 1922.

This exhibition will show communities on both sides of the border, and how the division of the country has impacted on the counties and region in a range of unique ways, moving away from stereotypical and clichéd depictions of the region.

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery’s location as a cultural institution in Drogheda, within the border county of Louth, and the North East of the island, has ideally positioned it to draw on artistic partnerships and local contacts, networks and institutions for this major exhibition, to reveal a cultural response to the over one-hundred year old boundary. The gallery was developed in a cross-border capital project, and 2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of its founding.

Co-curated by Dr Orla Fitzpatrick and Aoife Ruane, the exhibition presents work by thirty artists including Array Collective, Kathleen Bridle, John Byrne, Garrett Carr, Krass Clement, Megan Doherty, Willie Doherty, Ciarán Dunbar, David Farrell, Kevin Fox, T.P. Flanagan, Ruth Gonsalves Moore, Anthony Haughey, Jeremy Henderson, Sean Hillen, Dorothy Hunter, Ben Malcolmson, Mairéad McClean, Maurice MacGonagle, F.E. McWilliam, William Monk, Locky Morris, Brian Newman, Kate Nolan, Dickey O'Rorke, Tony O'Shea, Akihiko Okamura, Dermot Seymour, Constance Short, Donovan Wylie drawn from public and private collections from Ireland and Northern Ireland, and from artists’ studios.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟓𝐩𝐦.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council
Photo Museum Ireland

15/10/2026

Discover the stories behind the art at Highlanes Gallery. Join co-curator Orla Fitzpatrick for an in-depth lunchtime tour of the acclaimed exhibition, 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟏–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, this Saturday at 1pm.

This informal yet insightful session will explore the extensive research that shaped the exhibition and introduce you to the 29 artists whose work is on display. The exhibition delves into the many ways the Irish border has been represented in painting, print, photography, film, mixed-media, and popular culture, as well as through objects and ephemera.

Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how artists have responded to the border since 1922, reflecting on its impact on communities, counties, and the wider region. The exhibition moves beyond stereotypes, offering nuanced perspectives on life along the border. Much of the original research was supported by Trinity College Dublin and Ireland’s Border Culture: Literature, Arts, and Policy (IRBORDCUL), a two-year collaboration with the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, funded by a Shared Island Project Award.

This partnership has enabled a rich exploration of border culture, history, and identity. Orla Fitzpatrick’s tour will provide valuable context for the artworks and highlight the unique stories and creative responses that have emerged over the past century.

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a student of history, or simply curious about the cultural landscape of the border, this tour offers an engaging and educational experience.

𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 - 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫
1pm - 2pm | €6 per person
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/gallery-talk-curators-tour-picturing-the-border-1921-2026-tickets-2003396675386?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council

15/10/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁 – 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬

1st Prize
𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐫
𝘈𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴
Mixed Media - Acrylic & oil pastel on card

2nd Prize
𝐎𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲
𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵
Mixed Media - Clay, tissue, paint

3rd Prize
𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐔𝐠𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐤𝐰𝐮
𝘑𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘺'𝘴 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯
Mixed Media - Clay, tissue, oil pastel

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

On Friday 7 August, we launched our first-ever 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧/𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, welcoming creative children and their families from across the island.

We’ve been thrilled by the creativity, imagination and artistic ingenuity expressed in the 𝟐𝟐 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞-𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, now on view in the Upper Gallery.

Inspired by this year’s theme, “𝐌𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝” the works use pencil, paint, collage, animation and more — celebrating the creative voices of children and young people of all abilities.

The competition was developed with our 𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 (𝟏𝟐–𝟏𝟖) and 𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐘 (𝟏𝟖–𝟑𝟎) 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐬, with members of AMPLIFY also joining the adjudication team.

This marks a very special moment for the gallery, reflecting the ambition of founders 𝐁𝐞𝐚 𝐎𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡, 80 years after their journey towards Highlanes Gallery began.

Congratulations to all of the creative participants and winners, and thanks to adjudicators 𝐊𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧, 𝐂𝐚𝐨𝐢𝐦𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲, 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐤, 𝐌𝐨𝐲𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐛𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐛𝐡 𝐃𝐞 𝐁ú𝐢𝐭𝐥é𝐚𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐲.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟓𝐩𝐦.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council

15/10/2026

Looking for creative ways to spark imagination this October? Highlanes Gallery invites families and teenagers to a vibrant series of hands-on art workshops—perfect for midterm inspiration!

✨ On Saturday 17th, join artist Nela Hadija for a joyful Family Workshop exploring the 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘹𝘩𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. Dive into colour, texture, and playful materials as you create your own unique character together—an experience to delight all ages.

🌟 After the Lú Festival of Light, teens (13–18) can join Alanna Hanley on Tuesday 27th for a thought-provoking workshop inspired by 𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 1921–2026. Explore how people, places, and marks tell stories—can you capture a person without drawing their face? Challenge your creativity and see art in a new way.

🎨 On Thursday 29th, artist Moya Gibney leads a dynamic session for teens, delving into the world of Keith Haring. Discover how simple symbols and bold lines can become powerful messages, and create your own street-inspired artwork.

Don’t miss out—special 2-for-1 offers available for a limited time! All materials provided, just bring your curiosity.

𝐍𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐣𝐚 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡, 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
11:30am - 1pm | €6 per Family Group
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/young-creatives-art-exhibition-saturday-family-workshop-tickets-2003166976350?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 - 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡, 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
1:30pm - 3pm | €8 per Person
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/people-place-mark-teenage-workshop-with-artist-alanna-hanley-mid-term-tickets-2003168195998?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

𝐌𝐨𝐲𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐛𝐧𝐞𝐲 - 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡, 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
1:30pm - 3pm | €8 per Person
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teenage-workshop-keith-harings-work-messages-as-symbols-midterm-tickets-1999728482723?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council

14/10/2026

𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐱
𝘌𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦, 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘋𝘳𝘶𝘮 – 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘦 (2017)
Photograph
71 x 51cm
On loan from Photo Museum Ireland

Fox’s project reveals the lives of the people of Drum, a small Protestant-majority village located near the border in County Monaghan. The village also features elsewhere in the exhibition in a photograph by the Danish photographer Krass Clement which was taken in 1991 and which shows the customers of the local pub.

𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟏 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Focusing on representations of the Irish border in painting, print, photography, film, mixed-media and popular culture, as well as objects and ephemera; this exhibition explores how artists have reacted and responded to the border since 1922.

This exhibition will show communities on both sides of the border, and how the division of the country has impacted on the counties and region in a range of unique ways, moving away from stereotypical and clichéd depictions of the region.

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery’s location as a cultural institution in Drogheda, within the border county of Louth, and the North East of the island, has ideally positioned it to draw on artistic partnerships and local contacts, networks and institutions for this major exhibition, to reveal a cultural response to the over one-hundred year old boundary. The gallery was developed in a cross-border capital project, and 2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of its founding.

Co-curated by Dr Orla Fitzpatrick and Aoife Ruane, the exhibition presents work by thirty artists including Array Collective, Kathleen Bridle, John Byrne, Garrett Carr, Krass Clement, Megan Doherty, Willie Doherty, Ciarán Dunbar, David Farrell, Kevin Fox, T.P. Flanagan, Ruth Gonsalves Moore, Anthony Haughey, Jeremy Henderson, Sean Hillen, Dorothy Hunter, Ben Malcolmson, Mairéad McClean, Maurice MacGonagle, F.E. McWilliam, William Monk, Locky Morris, Brian Newman, Kate Nolan, Dickey O'Rorke, Tony O'Shea, Akihiko Okamura, Dermot Seymour, Constance Short, Donovan Wylie drawn from public and private collections from Ireland and Northern Ireland, and from artists’ studios.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟓𝐩𝐦.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council
Photo Museum Ireland

13/10/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁 – 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥

1st Prize
𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐲-𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐞
𝘔𝘺 𝘔𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘢, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘵 𝘒𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘚𝘢𝘧𝘦
Mixed Media

2nd Prize
𝐂𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐲
𝘑𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘣
Acrylics on Canvas

3rd Prize
𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬
𝘔𝘺 𝘎𝘰-𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘔𝘺 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥
Paint & Pastel

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

On Friday 7 August, we launched our first-ever 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧/𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, welcoming creative children and their families from across the island.

We’ve been thrilled by the creativity, imagination and artistic ingenuity expressed in the 𝟐𝟐 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞-𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, now on view in the Upper Gallery.

Inspired by this year’s theme, “𝐌𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝” the works use pencil, paint, collage, animation and more — celebrating the creative voices of children and young people of all abilities.

The competition was developed with our 𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 (𝟏𝟐–𝟏𝟖) and 𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐘 (𝟏𝟖–𝟑𝟎) 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐬, with members of AMPLIFY also joining the adjudication team.

This marks a very special moment for the gallery, reflecting the ambition of founders 𝐁𝐞𝐚 𝐎𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡, 80 years after their journey towards Highlanes Gallery began.

Congratulations to all of the creative participants and winners, and thanks to adjudicators 𝐊𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧, 𝐂𝐚𝐨𝐢𝐦𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲, 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐤, 𝐌𝐨𝐲𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐛𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐛𝐡 𝐃𝐞 𝐁ú𝐢𝐭𝐥é𝐚𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐲.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟓𝐩𝐦.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council

12/10/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥
𝘊𝘰𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥
from the series 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺 (2009-2010)
Photograph
71 x 81cm
On loan from Photo Museum Ireland

Since 1999, Farrell has been following the search for the bodies of people ‘disappeared’ by Irish Republican groups during the 1970s and early 1980s. The searches were often concentrated upon remote border locations and his renowned photobook 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 (2001) captured these haunting scenes where the seemingly innocuous concealed sinister acts. This image is from a later part of his project when he revisited some of these locations. His photographs record the impact of more recent excavations in ongoing searches or the reclamation, by nature, of small memorials or plaques placed by families.

𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟏 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Focusing on representations of the Irish border in painting, print, photography, film, mixed-media and popular culture, as well as objects and ephemera; this exhibition explores how artists have reacted and responded to the border since 1922.

This exhibition will show communities on both sides of the border, and how the division of the country has impacted on the counties and region in a range of unique ways, moving away from stereotypical and clichéd depictions of the region.

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery’s location as a cultural institution in Drogheda, within the border county of Louth, and the North East of the island, has ideally positioned it to draw on artistic partnerships and local contacts, networks and institutions for this major exhibition, to reveal a cultural response to the over one-hundred year old boundary. The gallery was developed in a cross-border capital project, and 2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of its founding.

Co-curated by Dr Orla Fitzpatrick and Aoife Ruane, the exhibition presents work by thirty artists including Array Collective, Kathleen Bridle, John Byrne, Garrett Carr, Krass Clement, Megan Doherty, Willie Doherty, Ciarán Dunbar, David Farrell, Kevin Fox, T.P. Flanagan, Ruth Gonsalves Moore, Anthony Haughey, Jeremy Henderson, Sean Hillen, Dorothy Hunter, Ben Malcolmson, Mairéad McClean, Maurice MacGonagle, F.E. McWilliam, William Monk, Locky Morris, Brian Newman, Kate Nolan, Dickey O'Rorke, Tony O'Shea, Akihiko Okamura, Dermot Seymour, Constance Short, Donovan Wylie drawn from public and private collections from Ireland and Northern Ireland, and from artists’ studios.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟓𝐩𝐦.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council
Photo Museum Ireland

09/10/2026

✨Tuesday 13th October has artist and facilitator Caoimhe O'Dwyer return for another engaging toddler workshop, inspired by the colourful and varied submissions in the 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘹𝘩𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯! 🎨

Starting at 10:30am, Caoimhe has a playful and creative clay workshop designed especially for parents and toddlers. Encouraged to squish, roll, pinch, press and shape all to the theme, "𝐌𝐞, 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝", this playful sensory activity gives young children the freedom to share their ideas, feelings and perspectives.

This gentle, hands-on session is a lovely first step into the world of art for little ones, helping to strengthen fine-motor skills, encouraging curiosity and imagination, and also sharing creativity between parent and child in the welcoming setting of Highlanes Gallery. 🖌️

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Tickets are priced at €6 per Family (Parent & Child/Children), and includes all materials.

Booking available here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tuesday-parent-toddler-workshop-13th-october-at-1030am-tickets-2002616536971?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council

07/10/2026

𝐓.𝐏. 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧 (𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟗 – 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟏)
𝘈𝘯 𝘜𝘭𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 (1991)
Acrylic on Board
90 x 90cm
On loan from Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen
Purchase supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund,
the Art Fund and the Friends of Fermanagh County Museum

The ironically-named 𝘈𝘯 𝘜𝘭𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 depicts ‘The Troubles’ prosaically as forming part of the landscape itself. The half-hidden army watch-tower and shattered building are almost indistinguishable from the surroundings. This painting offers an interesting comparison with the photographic precision applied by Donovan Wylie to the same man-made structures. Flanagan was taught by Kathleen Bridle whose work appears elsewhere in this exhibition.

𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟏 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Focusing on representations of the Irish border in painting, print, photography, film, mixed-media and popular culture, as well as objects and ephemera; this exhibition explores how artists have reacted and responded to the border since 1922.

This exhibition will show communities on both sides of the border, and how the division of the country has impacted on the counties and region in a range of unique ways, moving away from stereotypical and clichéd depictions of the region.

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery’s location as a cultural institution in Drogheda, within the border county of Louth, and the North East of the island, has ideally positioned it to draw on artistic partnerships and local contacts, networks and institutions for this major exhibition, to reveal a cultural response to the over one-hundred year old boundary. The gallery was developed in a cross-border capital project, and 2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of its founding.

Co-curated by Dr Orla Fitzpatrick and Aoife Ruane, the exhibition presents work by thirty artists including Array Collective, Kathleen Bridle, John Byrne, Garrett Carr, Krass Clement, Megan Doherty, Willie Doherty, Ciarán Dunbar, David Farrell, Kevin Fox, T.P. Flanagan, Ruth Gonsalves Moore, Anthony Haughey, Jeremy Henderson, Sean Hillen, Dorothy Hunter, Ben Malcolmson, Mairéad McClean, Maurice MacGonagle, F.E. McWilliam, William Monk, Locky Morris, Brian Newman, Kate Nolan, Dickey O'Rorke, Tony O'Shea, Akihiko Okamura, Dermot Seymour, Constance Short, Donovan Wylie drawn from public and private collections from Ireland and Northern Ireland, and from artists’ studios.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟓𝐩𝐦.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Visit Louth Visit Drogheda LoveDrogheda Ireland's Ancient East Discover Boyne Valley Creative Ireland Louth Louth County Council Enniskillen Castle: Fermanagh County Museum

04/10/2026

Highlanes Gallery
20 years ago today.

Today, Sunday 4th October, the feast of St Francis, marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the gallery and the gift of the former Franciscan Church to the people of Drogheda to house the Drogheda Municipal Art Gallery– founded by Bea Orpen and Terry Trench.

This weekend we remember the work and care of all of the people both living and dead who brought the gallery into being, and remembering the collective effort and commitment by so many from artists and audiences, board and gallery team across the 20 years of the gallery’s existence and share from RTE Archives

'Franciscans Give Friary To The People 2006
The Franciscan Order has officially handed over a 160 year old friary to the people of Drogheda to be used as the town's first dedicated art gallery.
Members of the Franciscan Order left their home for the last time as the friary is given to the people of Drogheda. Due to a fall in vocations, the Franciscan order could no longer maintain their position in the town. The handover of the building on St Laurence Street marks the end of the Franciscan order's links with the town which were first established almost eight hundred years earlier.
The building has been remodelled and handed back to the local community for use as an art gallery. The Highlanes Gallery will provide a permanent home for Drogheda's art collection, while works from around the country will also be exhibited.
Father Joe McMahon and Father Sean Collins spoke to reporter Sinéad Crowley at the handover ceremony.
Father Sean Collins says,
Our ideal has always been that if what we have been given by the people over the years is no longer of benefit to us, or we cannot use it, then rather than sell it we would try to make it available to the people.
The whole town of Drogheda was invited to see the official handing over of the keys.
An RTÉ News report by Sinead Crowley broadcast on 4 October 2006.'

Highlanes Gallery, Laurence Street, Drogheda, Co. The Arts Council / An Chomhairle EalaíonDiscover Boyne ValleyLoveDrogheda

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