The Merrion Hotel are delighted to launch the 2026 edition of our biennial contemporary art prize The Merrion Plinth.
Open to all forms of contemporary art, we are inviting professional artists to enter this open submission competition. As dedicated supporters of late 19th and 20th century art, we aim to support living artists by sponsoring this prize honouring outstanding talent. Our aim is to provide a platform for artists to bring their work to new audiences and be seen alongside some of the great Irish artists of the last century. Our collection holds some significant artworks relevant to the history of Irish visual culture and our ambition is to promote the importance of visual art being made today.
The selected artwork will be exhibited in a dedicated area in The Merrion Hotel with a €5,000 prize.
Open to all professional artists resident in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK.
Open to artists in all visual art forms that adhere to guidelines
Please click here for specifications and here for application form.
The closing date for entries is April 24th 2026.
