Luan Gallery Summer Series 2026

Throughout August 2026, Luan Gallery on the banks of the Shannon runs its Summer Series - a month-long programme of visual arts workshops, artist talks and creative activities, all free to attend. It is a good reason to spend an afternoon in Athlone even if you are just passing through, and it suits adults and families alike who want something a bit more engaging than a standard gallery walkabout.

What to expect

Luan Gallery is Westmeath’s municipal gallery, housed in a building that is itself worth seeing - a conversion of the 1897 Father Matthew Temperance Hall with a contemporary extension by Keith Williams Architects, which picked up the RIAI award for Best Cultural Building in Ireland in 2013. The floor-to-ceiling windows along the Shannon side flood the space with natural light and give views across the river.

The Summer Series builds on the gallery’s year-round commitment to making art genuinely accessible. Expect a mix of drop-in creative workshops, scheduled artist talks and hands-on activities running alongside the current exhibitions. The programme tends to draw in artists from the Midlands as well as national figures, covering everything from painting and sculpture to textiles. Exact sessions and dates are announced on a rolling basis through August, so check the gallery’s website before you visit to see what is on the specific day you plan to go.

Getting there

Athlone sits at the crossroads of the N6 Dublin - Galway and the N61 south to Roscommon, about 90 minutes from Dublin and an hour from Galway by car. It is one of the better-served towns on the rail network - regular trains run from Dublin Heuston (just over an hour) and from Galway, and the station is a short walk from the town centre. Bus Éireann Expressway routes also serve the town regularly. Luan Gallery is on Elliot Road, right beside Athlone Castle on the west bank - street parking is available in the immediate area, and there is a multi-storey car park a few minutes’ walk away in the town centre.

While you’re in Athlone

The gallery sits alongside Athlone Castle, one of the more intact Norman fortifications in the Midlands, and the west-bank streets around it are full of independent cafés and traditional pubs well worth an hour before or after. There is more to see in Athlone and across Co. Westmeath.

Good to know

• Runs throughout August 2026; individual workshops and talks at various times during the month
• Admission: Free
• Gallery opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays 12pm - 5pm; closed Mondays
• Check luangallery.ie for the specific programme and any booking requirements for individual sessions
• The gallery is in a modern, accessible building; contact the gallery on 090 644 2154 to confirm specific access needs