Boyle Civic Art Collection

Culture Night provides an opportunity to view the Boyle Civic Art Collection that is on view in King House. The 2024-2026 Exhibition at King House presents 90 pieces of painting and sculpture, showcasing a broad range of media and the best of contemporary Irish artists, capturing the essence of the Boyle Civic Art Collection. It includes the first two pieces acquired in 1990 from artists Joe Hanley and John Moore – exhibited in the Main Salon on the first floor.

Founded in 1990, the Boyle Civic Art Collection, totaling over 300 pieces of contemporary Irish artworks, is one of the most prominent civic art collections in the country. The majority of works were acquired using the sales commission earned at Boyle Arts Festival Exhibitions 1990 to 2012. Several pieces were donated by the Haverty Trust, Friends of the National Collections of Ireland, The Contemporary Irish Art Society and the artists themselves. A number of pieces were also donated by private collectors.

The Collection is maintained by the trustees for the people of Boyle and, thanks to Roscommon County Council, is housed mainly in King House where the collection is managed for exhibition and storage. Other works are located in multiple buildings in the town of Boyle.