TY: REVEAL

The programme Illustration: Bringing Books to Life explores the rich range of visual material within the Prints & Drawings collection.

We have an exciting schedule of events and activities lined up for the participants! They will have visiting illustrators join them for bespoke hands-on workshops, and get to view rare, original artworks in the Art Room. They’ll learn about many different aspects of behind-the-scenes life at the library and get to explore the collection in the magnificent Reading Room.  We’re delighted to welcome this young cohort into the library, who come from all over the country including Galway, Roscommon, Clare, Offaly, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford and Dublin. The course runs until April 2026 and we look forward to seeing what gems from the collection the students discover and reveal!

Check our social media profiles for updates on what the students discover along the way!  

About 

TY: REVEAL Illustration: Bringing Books to Life is a new Transition Year course at the National Library of Ireland. It is designed to introduce students to the special and unique collections of the National Library of Ireland, to become familiar with using the library and to continue using it into their future studies. In 2026 the programme will focus on the Prints and Drawings collection.  

Participants will learn about the library and its vast collections which hold ‘the memory of Ireland’, gaining access to the magnificent reading room which dates from 1890. Students will delve into the library collections to research areas of interest and will also explore a range of image making techniques through a series of practical, artist-led workshops. They will take inspiration from the collections, each other and the building itself. Participants will be guided by a facilitator throughout the programme and will work towards a final event to reveal and display their discoveries. 

TY: REVEAL 2026 is generously supported by The Ireland Funds.