We are open and look forward to welcoming you!

About

Súil is the first municipal gallery in County Clare and is the result of years of consultation, design and development.

Súil aims to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities for the people of Clare to engage in and celebrate culture and creativity. Súil offers a purpose built, professionally curated and managed space in the heart of Clare.

The gallery provides the people of Clare, surrounding counties and tourists, with access to professional, contemporary art exhibitions and events. It will also act as an additional resource in the realisation of national and local initiatives including, Bealtaine, Cruinniú na nÓg and Culture night.

Opening hours

Sensory Hours

During our sensory hours, our lighting is dimmed and artworks which make noise are muted. A member of staff will always be at reception if you have any queries or require additional support.

Access

• JAM Card users welcome
• Changing Places Toilet – Fully accessible toilet with shower and adult changing table
• Ramp Access
• Sensory Friendly Hours – Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 11am
• Social Story in English – Social Story
• Social Story in Irish – Scéal Sóisialta
• Social Story Video – Coming Soon
• Sensory Map – Risk/Reward Exhibition Sensory Map
• Dyslexia friendly catalogue
• Large font catalogue
• Assistance/service animals are welcome in our building
• Accommodation Station

Our Accommodation Station is available at reception. You can borrow reading glasses, ear defenders, fidget toys, colour overlays, and magnifying glasses for your visit to Súil.

If you have any access needs that are not listed here, would like any other resources, or have further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always interested to learn more about what we can do to improve our services and facilities and to ensure that you are happy and safe during your visit.

Getting here

Súil, Causeway Link, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 DKP5, Ireland

Get Directions

Parking

There is a metered Car Park with 90 spaces, adjacent to glór (one-hour free parking), for the benefit of all patrons, open 24 hours a day. Parking tickets are required during the hours of 9am to 6pm. There are age friendly and disabled parking spaces available in the car park and parking is free for those with a blue badge.

Public Transport

Ennis is served by train and bus services. For further information please click here

Café

The glór café is open from 10am – 3pm Monday to Saturday

Contact

Phone – 065 689 9091

Email – suil@clarecoco.ie

To join our mailing list sign up for regular updates at the bottom of this page

Current Exhibition

RISK/ REWARD Limerick Printmakers 

An exhibition of new works on paper from Limerick Printmakers.

RISK/ REWARD explores the importance and power in cultivating resilience as an individual and as an artist, while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining this quality in an increasingly complex world. Creative resilience allows artists to simultaneously “trust the process” and trust themselves as they navigate periods of experimentation, exploring risk through problem solving, and defining their own metrics of failure and success when creating art.

For most creators, there is an inextricable link between how their artwork is perceived and how they view themselves. Our societal understanding of failure has shifted in recent years, away from the notion that it is a permanent state, instead, reframing setbacks as an essential catalyst to growth, learning and innovation.

Open June 28th – August 14th

All are invited to Official Launch Thursday July 3rd 6pm

RISK/REWARD Standard Catalogue – Risk/Reward Standard Catalogue

RISK/REWARD Large Font Exhibition Catalogue – Risk/Reward Large Font Catalogue

RISK/REWARD Dyslexia-Friendly Catalogue – Risk/Reward Dyslexia-Friendly Catalogue

Future Exhibitions

2025

SIÚNTA – Niamh Coffey – About | Niamh Coffey

FLOW– Carl Cardonnier –  About Carl Cordonnier

Exhibition, 9th October – 1st November

Exhibition Launch, 11th October

ANNUAL OPEN – Annual Group Hang

Exhibition, 11th November – 5th January

Exhibition Launch, 14th Novemebr

Christmas Craft Workshop,  Date to be Confirmed

2026 -2028

Watch this space!

Open Call Successful Applicants 2025 -2028

Families and Children

Everyone is welcome at Súil, especially your little artists! We have worksheets, in English and Irish, available at reception and below.

• • Children’s worksheets – English –  Children’s Worksheet English
  • Children’s worksheets – Irish – Children’s Worksheet Irish
  • Pocket Gallery English – Print on A3 to fold into your own booklet! – Pocket Gallery
  • Pocket Gallery Irish – Print on A3 to fold into your own booklet! – Dánlann Póca
  • An Foclóir Súil, The Súil Dictionary – Súil Foclóir

Learning and Engagement

• Leaving Cert Gallery Visit Resource Booklet – Leaving Cert – Resource Pack – Súil – 2024
• Class Visits – We can facilitate class visits to the gallery in Irish or English, for all ages – Contact suil@clarecoco.ie to book your free tour
• Educated at Home Visits – We welcome visits from groups or individuals who are educated at home, in Irish or English, for all ages – Contact suil@clarecoco.ie to book your free tour

Publications and Policies

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Súil is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable people. You can find our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy here – Public Document CCC policy-and-procedures-for-the-protection-and-safeguarding-of-children 20.01.2025

Curatorial and Programming Policy

Súil will provide the people of Clare, surrounding counties and tourists, with access to professional, contemporary art exhibitions and events. Súil aims to significantly improve the quality and quantity of the opportunities available to Clare artists, offering a purpose built, professionally curated and managed space in their own county.  Súil’s curatorial and programming policy ensures that fair, transparent and high-quality stakeholder outcomes are at the core of gallery operations.

Súil’s curatorial and learning practice posits accessibility at its core and provides a range of supports for visitors and artists including large text exhibition labels, sensory maps, social stories, wheelchair and buggy access, inclusive tours and events. Súil offers quiet hours with reduced lighting and sensory elements, to support neurodivergent visitors.

The gallery will offer learning programmes for Clare Primary and Secondary schools, including DEIS schools and Gealscoileanna. Súil will act as an additional resource in the realisation of national and local initiatives including, Bealtaine, Cruinniú na nÓg and Culture Night.

Most exhibition programmes will consist of artworks in the gallery space and a learning programme, planned and designed in tandem by the arts team. The learning programme will create opportunities for visitors of all ages to explore and engage with the artworks on show. Some examples could include thematically programmed talks, practical workshops and bespoke projects in collaboration with local community groups.

Súil’s programming team is comprised of the Visual Arts Co-ordinator, embedded MA research student and Arts Office staff members with specialist arts knowledge. Artists, cultural partners, national cultural institutions, key partner organisations and arts specialists will be consulted as required.

Programming will include a mix of established gallery models of commissioned exhibition programmes, touring exhibitions of national interest, exhibitions of the Clare County Council art collection and open call exhibitions, allowing artists to propose exhibition ideas for selection.

A public submission competition for open call opportunities will take place in 2025. A panel of peer selectors including artists, curators and arts office staff, will assess and select the open call exhibitions. Unsolicited exhibition proposals will not be accepted.

Audience research, gallery attendance figures and continuing consultation with relevant stakeholders, including artists and audiences, will inform further gallery programme policy direction. Due to gallery scheduling and programming commitments, Súil is not available for private hire or events.

This policy is informed by consultations with artists and is gallery best practice based on research conducted on visual arts spaces throughout Ireland. This policy is not static and will adapt in response to the changing needs of our stakeholders.

A PDF of this policy is available here – Curatorial and Programming Policy 2024 -2026

FAQ

Do I have to pay to visit?

No, Súil is free to all.

Do I need to book tickets to visit Súil?

Tickets are not required to visit Súil.

Can I take photos or videos in the gallery?

Non-flash photography for personal use is allowed. However, photographing other visitors or staff without their permission is not permitted. Some exhibitions or artworks may also have restrictions on photography. Please ask our staff for further information.

Can children visit Súil?

Yes, children are of course welcome, but must be supervised at all times during your visit. Please note also that some artworks or exhibitions may contain material that is not suitable for younger visitors. These will be clearly marked and signposted but if you’re unsure, feel free to ask our staff or check the Súil website ahead of time for guidance.

Are pets allowed in Súil?

Only service animals are allowed in the gallery to ensure a safe environment for all visitors and to protect the artworks.

Can I use Súil as a venue for my event/meeting/workshop?

While we cannot accommodate large events, we will do our best to help. Contact us at súil@clarecoco.ie and tell us about your event.

How can I stay informed about upcoming events and exhibitions?

Check our website or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest news on events and exhibitions. Additionally, join the Clare Arts mailing list to receive the latest information on Súil and other arts events in Clare.

Is the gallery accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes, the gallery is accessible for all visitors. For more information, please visit our ‘Accessibility’ section above. If you have any specific questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Are there sensory-friendly hours in Súil?
Yes, the first hour of every day from 10am until 11am will be sensory-friendly. During this time, lights will be dimmed, and any sounds in the gallery will be minimised to create a calm, sensory-friendly environment for visitors who prefer a quieter experience.

How can I contact Súil for more information?

You can reach us by phone at 065 689 9091  or by email at suil@clarecoco.ie

Can I propose an exhibition?

Please refer to the Súil Curatorial and Programming Policy 2024 – 2026, above, which provides information on our exhibition programming guidelines. Please note that we are unable to accept unsolicited exhibition proposals.

Technical Specifications

Simplified Floor Plan – Súil

Architectural Floor Plan- Súil

Súil Lighting System

360 view of the gallery 1

360 view of the gallery 2

Projector Manual – Epson EB-PU1008W Projector User Guide

• Projector – Epson EB-PU1008W
• Free standing or wall mountable Projection Screen – 161cm x 260cm
• Movable Wall System Panels x 4 – 240cmx24cmx40cm each
• Portable digital screens, with usb/hdmi connectors x 3 – Screen Demensions145cm x 82cm, Height from floor to top 207cm
• External enclosed courtyard
• Loading bay for large works/installation
• Floor power sockets x 9
• Point of sale
• Manned Reception desk
• Gallery Footprint – 83.3m2
• Courtyard Footprint – 12.2m2
• Gallery Height – 5.2m
• Loading bay Door Dimensions – 211.5 x 233 cm

Our Team

Muiríosa Guinan – Visual Arts Co-Ordinator

Muiríosa joined the Clare Arts team in September 2024 as visual Arts Co-Ordinator. She previously worked as Arts Development Officer in Galway City Council and Art-Science Curriculum Coordinator in Science Gallery, Dublin.

Muiríosa was awarded a Fulbright Award in 2020 to work as a research fellow in The Exploratorium, San Francisco. Her research focused on how curatorial practice can increase accessibility and inclusion for the blind and visually impaired.

Muirí­osa received her M.A in Art history, Collections and Curating  and  Postgraduate Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership from University College Dublin. She completed her B.A. in Sculpture and Expanded Practices from the National College of Art and Design.

Muiríosa maintains her visual arts practice, working primarily through sculpture, photography and painting.

Aoife Byrne – Curatorial and Collections Assistant

Aoife joined the Clare Arts team in September 2024 as a Curatorial and Collections Assistant. She previously worked as an Arts Management Intern with the social enterprise SumGood in Dublin, and as an Archival Intern with the Sullivan Bluth Studios Archive, Dublin.

She received her B.A. in Art History and Film Studies from University College Dublin, completing one year of her studies in the Arts and Culture Studies programme in Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Aoife went on to complete her M.A. in Art History, Collections and Curating, also in University College Dublin. Her previous research focused on animation in Ireland and animation art archives.

Past Exhibitions

J O U R N E Y S – Everything Begins Somewhere

An Art Exhibition by Young Creators

Exhibition extended until Saturday June 21st

May 24th – June 21st

As C.S. Lewis once said, “With the possible exception of the equator, everything begins somewhere.” For children with lifelong physical health conditions, whose works are featured here, that “somewhere” may look different—but it’s no less powerful. Each creation acts as a personal beginning towards independence, challenging expectations while creating works of art. A world starts to appear with every brushstroke, whilst colours act as a foundation for emotion and self-expression. Created during community camps in Ennis, Nenagh and Limerick City along with children attending the Paediatric Inclusion Health Clinics in Ennis Hospital, Tyone Health Centre, Nenagh and University Hospital Limerick, these artworks welcome us to witness the journeys of these young artists as they create their own paths in life – reminding us that a journey isn’t only about where it leads, but also about the stories it tells along the way.

In Tandem

In Tandem features the work of Clare based artists Ciara Malone, Finbarr Dillon, and Sam Gleeson. The exhibition brings together work across the full spectrum of creativity, showcasing diverse creative practices which resonate with and amplify one another.

Ciara Malone is a visual artist and storyteller, observing and teasing out meaning through her camera.

Finbarr Dillon is a sound designer and composer, working in the areas of Electroacoustic, Acousmatic and Sound Collages to create sound art.

Sam Gleeson is a bladesmith, using centuries-old forge-welding techniques to create functional art objects.

Líníocht – A Selection Of Works From The National Collection of Contemporary Drawing

Líníocht features a selection of works from the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing (NCCD), generously loaned by the Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA).

The NCCD was founded in 1987 by the Limerick Contemporary Art Society, with the purpose of recognising and honouring drawing as vital part of Irish art history. The collection has expanded to include over 200 artworks, highlighting the work of some of Ireland’s most renowned artists.

The selected works reveal the diversity and potential of drawing as a medium, showcasing a range of materials, styles, and approaches. As one of the oldest forms of human expression and creativity, drawing endures as a timeless practice, with contemporary artists affirming its importance and reimagining its endless possibilities.

Open February 7th – March 27th 2025.

The Art of Place: People and Landscape of County Clare

The Art of Place: People and Landscape of County Clare, based on the book of the same name, is a celebration of the sacred and ancient tradition of storytelling in Ireland. Through a selection of photographs and personal reflections, we are welcomed on a journey into the creative soul of County Clare.

As the contributor Liam Ashe notes, the project is a kind of bothántaíocht – visiting a neighbour’s house. We are invited into the worlds of these writers, poets, artists, composers, musicians and performers. Together, their reflections form a love letter to the complexity of home, identity, and memory.

The Art of Place: People and Landscape of County Clare is a collection of personal reflections by 31 artists living in or from Clare, edited by Peadar King and Anne Jones, Published in 2022. The accompanying photography by John Kelly was commissioned by Clare County Council through the Per Cent for Art Scheme.

The photography featured in this exhibition was printed and installed by Ennis based printer, RealPrint.

Closed 31st January 2025.