Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Art Source is set to take place in Dublin from 13th to 15th November 2026 at the RDS. This premier art fair will feature a remarkable selection of affordable art, alongside works from some of the most prominent names in the art world.
It is an essential event for art enthusiasts and collectors alike. Art Source takes place in Dublin, Ireland.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Art Source runs from 13th to 15th November 2026 at RDS, Dublin.
- 2Scale and Focus: This is Ireland's largest art fair featuring a diverse range of affordable art.
- 3Organiser: The event is hosted by Art Source, with tickets available online.
- 4Buyer Authority: Art lovers, collectors, and families are encouraged to attend.
- 5Entry: Tickets are priced at €12 for adults and €10 for seniors.
Why visit
Art Source fills the RDS in Ballsbridge with original work you can take home the same day, so the trip is less about browsing a museum and more about meeting the people who made the pieces. Art lovers, collectors, and families are encouraged to attend.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will gain visibility among art lovers and collectors, providing a platform to showcase their work and connect with potential buyers. The fair is an excellent opportunity for networking and sales. Meet qualified buyers and partners including Emerging artists showcasing their work, Established galleries presenting diverse collections, Artisans offering handmade pieces. Position your offer across original paintings and sculptures, prints and limited editions,.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Art collectors looking for unique pieces
Families seeking engaging activities
Art enthusiasts interested in affordable art
Students and graduates from art schools
Interior designers sourcing artwork
Local community members interested in the arts
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Emerging artists showcasing their work
Established galleries presenting diverse collections
Artisans offering handmade pieces
Art schools displaying student works
Local artists promoting their creations
Art suppliers and service providers
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Original paintings and sculptures
Prints and limited editions
Photography and mixed media art
Ceramics and pottery
Textile art and crafts
Jewelry and wearable art
Location & Facilities
Venue
RDS
Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Facilities
Parking
RDS in Dublin typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: RDS in Dublin typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at RDS for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
Friday 13 November 2026:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday 14 November 2026:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday 15 November 2026:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
General admission
Adults
12General admission
OAPs (available at the box office only)
10
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Dublin, Ireland
Why it matters
On 2026-11-13 to 2026-11-15, Art Source in Dublin covering Original paintings and sculptures, Prints and limited editions, Photography and mixed media art, Ceramics and pottery, T gives fashion buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Dublin Airport
The main international gateway for the fair. Taxis and coaches run to the city centre; from there take the DART to Sandymount or Lansdowne Road, or a Dublin Bus route toward Ballsbridge. Allow extra time on Friday afternoon
Approx. 12 km from the RDS, Ballsbridge
to venue
Approx. 25-40 minutes by taxi or car depending on city traffic
by car
Dublin Airport, Terminal 2
Terminal 2 handles most long-haul arrivals including transatlantic carriers. US-bound passengers can use preclearance at Dublin, so allow extra time on departure
Approx. 12 km from the RDS, Ballsbridge
to venue
Approx. 25-40 minutes by taxi or car
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence
4-star
Ballsbridge / Herbert Park230 m from RDS to venueClayton Hotel Ballsbridge
4-star
Ballsbridge300 m from RDS to venueHilton Dublin
4-star
Dublin city (near RDS)2 km from RDS to venueThe Dawson Hotel
4-star
Dublin city centre2.4 km from RDS to venueThe Linn
Near Ballsbridge950 m from RDS to venue
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
DART rail
Estimated costUSD 12-28 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forSandymount or Lansdowne Road station to RDS
Short walk from either station to the RDS grounds; verify timetables on Irish Rail / Transport for Ireland.
Dublin Bus
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forCity centre to RDS, Ballsbridge
Event-day bus routes published on the Dublin Bus RDS page.
Taxi
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forDublin city centre to RDS
Approx. 2-3 km city trip; metered fares.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from DUB to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forDublin Airport, Terminal 2 (DUB) to RDS
Approx. 25-40 minutes by taxi or car depending on city traffic; The main international gateway for the fair. Taxis and coaches run to the city centre; from there take the DART to Sandymount or Lansdowne Road, or a Dublin Bus route toward Ballsbridge. Allow extra time on Friday af
Weather
Mid-November in Dublin is cool, breezy and often showery, with daytime temperatures around 9-11 C and short daylight; sunset falls close to 16:20-16:30. The walk from Sandymount or Lansdowne Road DART stops to the RDS is exposed, so bring a waterproof layer and plan to arrive before the light fades. These are typical seasonal bands, not a forecast: check Met Eireann in the week before travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Ireland.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Ballsbridge setting
The RDS sits in the Ballsbridge district south of the River Liffey, a short DART or bus ride from Dublin city centre and walkable from Sandymount and Lansdowne Road stations.
Registration
Confirm registration and venue access with the organiser before travelling to Dublin.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: DUB
Fly into Dublin Airport (DUB). Google Flights capture for New York JFK to DUB (13 Nov 2026) shows nonstop flights around 6 hr 25 min with Delta/Air France/KLM and Aer Lingus/Iberia/American, plus one-stop routings via LHR. London LHR to DUB services on the same date were flagged as priced lower than usual. No airfare amounts were captured, so compare live fares before booking.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Dublin Airport (DUB): Approx. 25-40 minutes by taxi or car depending on city traffic; Dublin Airport, Terminal 2 (DUB): Approx. 25-40 minutes by taxi or car. Allow road or rail time to RDS; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near RDS: Ballsbridge / Herbert Park: Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence; Ballsbridge: Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge; Dublin city (near RDS): Hilton Dublin.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Dublin; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Dublin Bus serves the RDS with event routes listed on dublinbus.ie/bus-it-to-events/rds; DART rail stops at Sandymount and Lansdowne Road within walking distance. Check Dublin Public Transport timetables and the Transport for Ireland journey planner before travelling.
Parking: On-site parking is available at RDS; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026
Temperature: Typical mid-November bands for Dublin: daytime highs around 9-11 C (48-52 F) and night lows around 4-6 C (39-43 F). Feels colder near Dublin Bay and when the wind picks up around Ballsbridge. Approximate seasonal normals, not a forecast.
Seasonality: November is one of Dublin's wetter, darker months, with rain on roughly half of days and frequent short showers rather than all-day downpours. Daylight is short, with sunset near 16:20-16:30 mid-month. Bring a packable waterproof and shoes that handle wet pavements for the walk from the DART, and check Met Eireann a few days out.
Packing: Typical mid-November bands for Dublin: daytime highs around 9-11 C (48-52 F) and night lows around 4-6 C (39-43 F). Feels colder near Dublin Bay and when the wind picks up around Ballsbridge. Approximate seasonal normals, not a forecast. November is one of Dublin's wetter, darker months, with rain o
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Art Source usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
14 days out: confirm the 13-15 November 2026 dates and opening hours on artsource.ie, then buy admission online if a cheaper advance rate is offered.
T-2
13 days out: book a Ballsbridge or city-centre hotel early; mid-November is a busy Dublin weekend and the closest properties near the RDS fill first.
T-3
12 days out: set a realistic art budget and decide whether you are buying a small print, a mid-size painting or a commission, since each changes what you need to arrange on the day.
T-4
10 days out: check the DART timetable for Sandymount and Lansdowne Road and plan a backup Dublin Bus route in case of engineering works.
T-5
9 days out: measure the wall or surface you are buying for and photograph it, so you can judge scale at the stands instead of guessing.
T-6
7 days out: order euros or confirm your card works contactlessly, and check whether the artists you follow take card payments.
T-7
5 days out: look at the fair's exhibitor or artist listing and shortlist six to ten stands you want to visit first.
T-8
3 days out: check the Dublin forecast; November is cool and showery, so plan a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for the walk from the DART.
T-9
2 days out: download the Transport for Ireland journey planner and save your route, and note the last DART times back into the city.
T-10
1 day out: pack a tote for prints, a card for payments and a notebook for stand names, prices and edition numbers.
T-11
On the day: arrive when doors open for the quietest browsing, take a full lap before buying, and ask for a certificate of authenticity with any significant piece.
T-12
After the fair: arrange collection or courier for large works within the agreed window and keep receipts with the certificate for insurance.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at RDS
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Art Source registration concourse
RDS
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
RDS
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$190.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General admission
USD 12 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General admission | USD 12 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Art Source fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Art Source, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Original paintings and sculptures and Prints and limited editions solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Art Source in Dublin.
Min. budget
$462.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Original paintings and sculptures and Prints and limited editions products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Dublin show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- Art fair
- A time-limited selling exhibition where independent artists and galleries present work in a single venue. At Art Source the RDS halls are divided into stands, and most pieces on show are available to buy during the run.
- Original work
- A piece made by the artist's own hand rather than reproduced mechanically, for example a painting, drawing or hand-built ceramic. Ask the stand holder how an individual piece was made if the distinction matters to you.
- Limited-edition print
- An image printed in a fixed, numbered run from a plate, block or screen, signed and numbered by the artist. The edition size is normally written on the sheet, usually bottom left or in the margin.
- Artist proof
- A print outside the numbered edition, traditionally kept by the artist, marked AP. Proofs are collectible in their own right but are not part of the numbered run.
- Giclee
- A high-resolution inkjet reproduction of an artwork, often on cotton rag paper or canvas. Giclee prints are reproductions, not original prints, and are normally priced well below hand-pulled editions.
- Mixed media
- A work combining more than one material or technique, such as paint with collage, textile or metal leaf. Read the label or ask the artist which materials were used if you need to know about framing or conservation.
- Commission
- An agreement to have a new piece made to your specifications, such as a portrait or a work sized for a particular wall. Commissions usually involve a deposit and a delivery timeline agreed with the artist.
- Conservation framing
- Framing with acid-free mounts and glazing that limits light damage and contact with the paper. Worth asking about for works on paper you plan to hang in a bright room.
- Studio pottery
- Ceramics made by an individual maker rather than a factory line, typically thrown or hand-built and glazed by the artist. Pieces are usually one-off or small-batch and food-safety varies by glaze.
- Solo stand
- A stand given over to a single artist rather than shared by a gallery roster. Useful if you want to see a coherent body of work from one maker at Art Source.
- Emerging artist
- A maker in the earlier stages of a professional exhibiting career, often showing at lower price points. Their stands are a practical place to start a collection.
- Certificate of authenticity
- A signed document identifying the work, the artist, the medium and, for prints, the edition number. Ask for one with any significant purchase.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Art Source 2026
- Art Source Dublin 2026
- Dublin Ireland
- Art Fair Dublin 2026
- Original paintings and sculptures
- Prints and limited editions
- Photography and mixed media art
- Ceramics and pottery
Trust footer
Sources
3
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
1
Art Source
- event_website
- event_social
- event_social
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.