William Blake: The Age of Romantic Fantasy at the National Gallery

What to Expect

The National Gallery of Ireland is hosting one of the most significant art exhibitions to come to Dublin in years. William Blake: The Age of Romantic Fantasy runs from 16 April to 19 July 2026 and brings more than 100 works from Tate to Dublin as the final stop on an international tour. Organised in collaboration with Tate, the exhibition presents Blake’s most iconic paintings, drawings and engravings alongside works by his distinguished contemporaries, including Henry Fuseli, J.M.W. Turner and Thomas Rowlandson.

William Blake combined his visual art with original epic poetry to create a Romantic world ruled by fantasy, imagination and spiritual intensity. This exhibition delves into the supernatural, gothic and fantastical narratives that defined British art of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, placing Blake’s extraordinary vision in its full cultural context.

Curated by Anne Hodge of the National Gallery of Ireland and Alice Insley of Tate, this is a rare opportunity to experience some of the most startling and beautiful imagery in the history of British art, shown together in one place for the final time on this tour.

Good to Know

• Runs 16 April to 19 July 2026 in Rooms 6 to 10
• Tickets free to €16; booking in advance recommended
• The National Gallery is open daily; check website for specific hours
• Accompanying talks, workshops and sketching tours available
• Suitable for all ages; family events available throughout the run

Getting There

The National Gallery of Ireland is on Merrion Square West in Dublin 2. It is a short walk from Pearse DART station and from St Stephen’s Green Luas stop. The 39A bus stops nearby on Clare Street. There is metered street parking on Merrion Square, though spaces fill up quickly. The gallery itself is free to enter for the permanent collection.