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arts · Saturday 1 August 2026 · 11:00 - 17:00 
Garden to Gallery Couture at Luan Gallery
At Luan Gallery · Athlone, Co. Westmeath
At Luan Gallery · Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Garden to Gallery Couture is a free photography exhibition at Luan Gallery in Athlone, celebrating what happens when children are given proper creative freedom and a historic castle garden to work with. Photographer Chris Burke captured the results of a collaboration between Athlone Castle and Luan Gallery, in which local children and teenagers drew inspiration from the wildflowers, native plants, and herbs growing in the upper battlements of Athlone Castle to design and make their own nature-inspired couture pieces. The exhibition is a genuine community effort - it suits anyone who appreciates craft, environmental creativity, or simply wants to see young people doing something genuinely impressive.
The exhibition runs from 1 to 10 August and fills Luan Gallery with professional photography of the costumes the children created. The designs were made with sustainability at their core, using recycled and found materials under the guidance of resident artists Niamh Butler and Aoife Doolan, with support from transition-year students involved in the Junk Kouture programme. Earlier in the year, participants modelled their finished pieces during a Cruinniú na nÓg event in the castle courtyard - the photographs in this exhibition capture those designs in detail.
The opening night on Friday 1 August at 4:30pm doubles as a performance event, with the Athlone Youth Orchestra and members of Féile na Sionainne taking part. It coincides with the wider Athlone River Festival, so there is plenty happening in the town that weekend. The project received backing from Creative Ireland and Westmeath County Council. After the launch, the gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm, and Sundays and Bank Holidays 12pm to 5pm.
Athlone sits at the centre of Ireland on the N6 (Dublin to Galway) and N61, making it straightforward to reach by car from most parts of the country. Dublin is about 90 minutes, Galway around 60 minutes. Luan Gallery is on Elliott Road on the west bank of the River Shannon, right beside Athlone Castle and a short walk from the town centre. Street parking is available nearby, and there is a car park close to the castle.
By public transport, Athlone is well served by both Bus Éireann and Irish Rail, with the train and bus stations close to the town centre and a walkable distance from the gallery.
Luan Gallery sits right beside Athlone Castle, so a visit to the exhibition fits naturally alongside an afternoon at the castle or a walk along the Shannon. There is more to see in Athlone and across Co. Westmeath.
Heading to Luan Gallery in Athlone? Westmeath has plenty more to see. Read the Athlone area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.