BOOK TICKETS HERE© National Gallery of Ireland, Photo Roy Hewson
BOOK TICKETS© National Gallery of Ireland, Photo Roy Hewson

DESTINATION

DESTINATION

This year the AVEA annual conference will take place in the Lecture Theatre, located on the lower ground floor of the National Gallery of Ireland (nationalgallery.ie) in Dublin 2.

Please enter via the Merrion Square entrance. Doors will open at 9.15am.

Badge collection and welcome hospitality will take place in the Shaw Room (nationalgallery.ie/virtual-tour/virtual-tour-shaw-room).

While the Gallery offers complimentary locker usage for the storage of small items such as coats, umbrellas and bags, there are no facilities to store overnight cases/bags, and delegates will not be permitted to bring them.

Please ensure you have made arrangements to leave your overnight luggage at your accommodation location. You can read full details on location and accessibility here: nationalgallery.ie/visit-us/visitor-guide

For delegates seeking accommodation

A number of hotels are offering preferred AVEA rates for the conference.

CLICK HERE for details.

We recommend early booking to secure best hotel rates.

PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME

Monday 19th October 2026

Please note: A fully detailed programme with timings and participants will be published here.

Below is a a brief overview of the day.

Please check back for updates as details become available.

***

The programme opens at the National Gallery of Ireland 9.15am with badge collection and hospitality, with the conference in session from 10.00am to 5.00pm, offering expert insights, case studies, and practical discussions to inspire and challenge.

Presentations on the day include the launch of AVEA’s new strategy, and selected case studies from our open call ‘Stories of Success.’ Speakers on the day include Stephen O’Leary (Olytico), Paul Griffiths (Association of Cultural Enterprises), Michael Golding (Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions), Sinéad Rice (National Gallery of Ireland), and many more.

The conference will be followed coach transfers to a special evening event at the world-renowned Guinness Storehouse, providing delegates with a unique opportunity to dine, network and continue the conversation in one of Ireland’s most celebrated visitor attractions, concluding at 9.00pm.

SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS

Anne O’Donoghue

Chairperson
AVEA

Catherine Flanagan

CEO
AVEA

Stephen O’Leary

Olytico

Sinéad Rice

National Gallery of Ireland

Paul Griffiths

Association of Cultural Enterprises

Michael Golding

Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions

Barry Rogers

TOPOSOPHY

More Speakers TBA…

SPONSORS

SPONSORS

ACCOMMODATION

ACCOMMODATION

Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin D02 YT21

AVEA attendees can avail of 15% off their Best Available Bed & Breakfast Rate.

HOW TO BOOK: https://www.claytonhotels.com/cardiff-lane/

Insert promo code: DCR1910

This discount is subject to availability and rate at the time of booking, valid until 18th Sept 2026.

Staycity: City Quay, Commons St, North Dock, Dublin D01 DA34

Studios: €231.00 (Single Occupancy incl Breakfast) Book by 31 August 2026
Studios: €242.00 (Double Occupancy incl Breakfast) Book by 31 August 2026.
Rates are per apartment, per night and include 13.5% VAT

BOOKING LINK: Staycity – City Quay

Staycity: 12 Mark Street, Dublin D02 EP98

Studios: €231.00 (Single Occupancy incl Breakfast) Book by 31 August 2026
Studios: €242.00 (Double Occupancy incl Breakfast) Book by 31 August 2026
Rates are per apartment, per night and include 13.5% VAT

BOOKING LINK: Staycity – Mark Street

O’Callaghan Collection: The Mont, 1-4 Merrion Street Lower, Dublin D02 H525

AVEA delegates avail of 10% discount by inserting the code ‘SPECIAL10BB’ in the ‘have a code’ section when booking.

Subject to availability and rate at time of booking.

Website: themonthotel.ie

O’Callaghan Collection: The Alex, 41-47 Fenian Street, Dublin D02 H678

AVEA delegates avail of 10% discount by inserting the code ‘SPECIAL10BB’ in the ‘have a code’ section when booking.

Subject to availability and rate at time of booking.

Website: thealexhotel.ie

O’Callaghan Collection: The Davenport, 8-10 Merrion Street Lower, Dublin D02 DX57

AVEA delegates avail of 10% discount by inserting the code ‘SPECIAL10BB’ in the ‘have a code’ section when booking.

Subject to availability and rate at time of booking.

Website: davenporthotel.ie

Trinity City Hotel, Pearse Street, Dublin D02 FW96

€235 bed and breakfast single occupancy / €250 bed and breakfast twin/double occupancy

CLICK HERE to book by 31 August 2026 for special delegate rates with promo code ‘AVEAconf26’.