The William and Elizabeth Bourn Vincent Gallery
The William and Elizabeth Bourn Vincent Gallery was opened on 21 September 1993 by Dr A.J.F O'Reilly, Chief Executive, H J Heinz.
The Gallery is named after the Bourn Vincent family, who in earlier centuries played a prominent role in the civic life ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ City, having contributed six Mayors between 1703 and 1803. Their extraordinary acts of generosity to this country may not be widely known, but they have rarely been surpassed. Therefore, it is appropriate that this Gallery bear their name.
Elisabeth Bourn Vincent is herself an accomplished and distinguished artist, it was an honour to have a selection of her work exhibited at the opening.
Since then, the Bourn Vincent Gallery has exhibited collections by August Sander, Barry and Philip Castle and a selection of pieces from Gordon Lambert's collection.
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00pm
Closed Weekends and Public Holidays
The Weight of Light
17 November, 2025 – 20 March, 2026
Light is usually thought of as something you can’t touch — it helps us see, but it has no shape or weight. In art, however, light becomes something more. It gives form to objects, creates space and atmosphere, and evokes deep emotion.
This exhibition looks at the idea of light as both light and heavy — as something that reveals and yet leaves a trace, pressing against darkness, surface, and memory. In these artworks, light appears in many ways: glowing softly, cutting through shadow, or hiding within layers of paint and paper. Sometimes it suggests hope or renewal; other times it seems to fade or be swallowed by darkness.
Here, light is not just about brightness. It becomes a material — something that shows what is hidden, captures emotion, and links the visible world with thought and memory.
The Weight of Light invites you to see how artists use light to express balance, contrast, and the quiet tension between seeing and feeling.
Yvonne Davis, Curator, UL, Nov 2025
April - October 2025
at the Bourn Vincent Gallery
Constant Quest: Life and Selected Works of Helen Hooker O'Malley Roelofs
This summer, the Bourn Vincent Gallery at the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ will present Constant Quest: Life and Selected Works of Helen Hooker O'Malley Roelofs—a landmark exhibition celebrating the remarkable legacy and creative spirit of Helen Hooker O'Malley.
The exhibition features a series of sculpted busts of notable Irish figures including Paddy Moloney, Liam Redmond, Mary Lavin, Maud Gonne MacBride, and Samuel Beckett. Alongside these are selections of Helen’s striking photography, drawn from the collections of Photo Museum Ireland and the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ.
Vitrines throughout the gallery will display examples of her photographic equipment and offer insight into her wide-ranging pursuits, which extended to painting, design, and textiles. Together, these elements offer a rich and multifaceted portrait of a pioneering artist whose life was defined by curiosity, experimentation, and a deep commitment to creative expression.