Offaly child shortlisted for young portrait prize at National Gallery

A budding young artist from Tullamore has been shortlisted for the AIB Young Portrait Prize.

The National Gallery of Ireland announced that Tessa Brennan, aged six, from Offaly's county town, was shortlisted for the artistic accolade alongisde 19 other young artists from across the country.

Tessa's entry was completed in pen, on paper, and is titled Gaga Dom.

The AIB Young Portrait Prize showcases the artistic talent of young people aged eighteen and under.

Winners in each of the four categories (6 and under, 7–11, 12–15, and 16–18) as well as an overall winner, will be selected from the shortlist.

Category winners will receive a bespoke art box and a cash prize, while the overall competition winner will be awarded a personalised wooden box of high-quality art materials and a cash prize of €500.

This year’s AIB Young Portrait Prize judges are Amanda Coogan, artist; Carl Hickey, artist; and Donna Rose, Curator at the National Museum of Ireland.

The exhibition of the shortlisted portraits in both competitions will be on display in the Portrait Gallery (Room 23) at the National Gallery of Ireland from November 14, 2026, to March 14, 2027.

The winners of the prizes will be announced at a ceremony held in the National Gallery of Ireland on December 2 next.