Bolay Visual Artists Cafe at the Linenhall

What to Expect

The Visual Artists Cafe is the opening day of the Linenhall’s Bolay Programme 2026 and it is run by Visual Artists Ireland. Twenty-four selected visual artists from across Ireland spend the day at the Linenhall in one-to-one meetings with professional curators. It is a structured portfolio and practice conversation rather than an open networking session, and places are allocated in advance by application through the Visual Artists Ireland website. Applications close at 5pm on Monday 21 September 2026.

The cafe sits inside a larger programme. Alongside it, five Mayo-based artists are selected for a five-month intensive mentorship with art critic Marianne O’Kane Boal running from October 2026 to February 2027, culminating in a group exhibition in the Linenhall Gallery in summer 2027. Expressions of interest for that mentorship strand close on Friday 28 August 2026, and applicants submit an artist statement, CV, biography, six to eight images of recent work and a note on how the programme would benefit their practice. The Bolay Programme is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and Mayo Arts Office. Last year’s cohort produced the Soft Fascination group show at the Linenhall, so there is a visible track record of what the year leads to.

Good to Know

• Tuesday 29 September 2026, 11am to 3pm
• The Linenhall Arts Centre, Linenhall Street, Castlebar
• 24 places, allocated by application through Visual Artists Ireland
• Applications for the cafe close Monday 21 September 2026 at 5pm
• Separate expression of interest deadline for the Mayo mentorship strand: Friday 28 August 2026
• Mentorship runs October 2026 to February 2027 with art critic Marianne O’Kane Boal
• Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and Mayo Arts Office
• Box office 094 902 3733

Getting There

The Linenhall is on Linenhall Street in Castlebar town centre. Drive in on the N5 from Dublin, the N84 from Galway, the N60 from Roscommon and Claremorris, or the N58 from Ballina and Foxford. Irish Rail runs from Dublin Heuston to Castlebar via Manulla Junction and the station is a short walk from the centre. Bus Eireann serves Castlebar from Dublin, Galway, Sligo, Ballina and Westport. Street parking around Linenhall Street is pay-and-display, with larger car parks a few minutes away.