As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back at a year shaped by artists, audiences and the shared belief that photography matters.

Over the past twelve months, Photo Museum Ireland welcomed more than 65,000 visitors across nine exhibitions, supported 17 artists through development residencies, published eight artist-led books, and delivered 150+ free public events. These figures matter not as milestones alone, but as evidence of sustained engagement — people showing up, spending time with work, and returning to photography as a space for thought, challenge and connection.

This year also marked the launch of our virtual exhibition platform, with three online exhibitions expanding access to our programme nationally and internationally. For audiences who can’t always make it to the museum — because of distance, access needs or time — this platform opens new ways to engage with contemporary photography, on their own terms.

Connecting Artists and Audiences

Connecting artists with audiences sits at the core of everything we do. In 2025, that meant working across generations and experience levels — with young people, students, families, early-career photographers and established practitioners. It meant creating space not just for finished work, but for process: for learning, experimentation, discussion and exchange.

Across the year, our growing team supported new commissions, took creative risks, shared skills and opened doors. We saw ideas evolve from research to exhibition, from residency to publication, and into the public realm. It has been a privilege to work alongside such committed artists and collaborators, and to see that work meet engaged, curious audiences.

Strengthening Education and Access

With the support of the Arts Council of Ireland and The Heritage Council, we significantly strengthened our education programme in 2025. We recruited talented full-time educators and delivered ambitious new initiatives for schools, families, young people and community groups.

This investment deepens our long-term commitment to photography as a vital, accessible cultural practice — one that invites participation, builds confidence and supports critical thinking across all ages.

Our work is made possible through the continued support of the Arts Council of Ireland, Dublin City Council and The Heritage Council, alongside the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, our patrons, partners, members and audiences in Ireland and beyond.

This support allows us to commission new work, sustain free public access, invest in artists, and deliver an ambitious programme with a small, dedicated team.

Thank you to everyone who worked with us, visited, participated, supported, shared, questioned and made space for photography this year. Your engagement gives this work its meaning.

We wish you a restful Christmas and a strong start to the New Year. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2026, with new exhibitions, projects and conversations ahead.