The Model. Home of The Niland Collection.

4.5 (341)

About

Sligo's contemporary art centre and home of the Niland Collection, housed in a grand 1863 Italian-Romanesque former Model School on The Mall, with the largest showings of Jack B. Yeats in the region and free admission for everyone.

Things to Do

The Niland Collection

A permanent collection of Irish art centred on Jack B. Yeats (1871-1957) — from early pen-and-ink and watercolours to expressive later oils — plus works by Percy French, Patrick Hall, Rita Duffy and Patrick Scott. Six curated shows rotate each year, with Yeats work focused in June-August.

Temporary exhibitions

The galleries also host experimental contemporary shows. Recent and upcoming titles include Jack B. Yeats: A Painted Universe (to 27 Sep 2026), Jack B. Yeats: The Living Ginger and a Phil Collins exhibition (20 Jun-22 Aug 2026).

Guided Yeats tours

Lunchtime guided tours of the Yeats exhibitions run Fridays at 11:00 from 13 Jun to 22 Aug 2026. €15, children go free, booking essential and places limited. Group gallery tours can also be booked.

The 1863 building

Designed by James H. Owen as a Model School, the striking south-facing block mixes limestone with Mount Charles sandstone. Wander the bright galleries and the atrium with its couches and seating; a small theatre hosts film and music.

Family creativity

The Model is good for children: a weekly Earth Gallery make-and-create club runs on Wednesdays, alongside workshops such as glass sculpture with artist Karen Donnellan and free Bump & Baby sessions.

Café, shop and events

The café on the Mall side serves coffee and lunches, and the ground-floor shop stocks art books and gifts. The programme also includes a summer market, informal music afternoons and independent film screenings with Sligo Film Society.

Plan Your Visit

Hours: Gallery: Tue-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun 12:00-16:00, Mon closed (the contact page lists a Thursday late opening to 20:00). Café: Mon-Fri 08:30-17:00, Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun closed except events.
Admission: Free for everyone
Parking: Connaughton Road car park next door: metered daily rate €3, Mon-Sat 08:30-18:30, free outside those times and all day Sunday; a smaller hourly-priced section is reached through it. Two accessible spaces sit at The Mall side off the private driveway. Nine bicycle racks at the Connaughton Road entrance.
Food: On-site café at The Mall side (Mon-Fri 08:30-17:00, Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun closed except events); Sligo town centre is a short walk away for more choice.

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