A talented Donegal artist has had an award-winning portrait of his exhibited in Letterkenny.
Daniel Nelis was named the overall winner of the 2025 AIB Portrait Prize, a prestigious award that celebrates the best in contemporary visual art.
As well as receiving a €15,000 prize and a €5,000 commission to create a new work for the National Portrait Collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, Daniel was given the opportunity to have his winning portrait showcased at the National Gallery, before further displays in Letterkenny and Waterford.
His winning work, Late Spring, along with other highly commended works from this year’s competition, are now on display at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny from the 4th of April to the 20th of June.
The winning portrait by Daniel Nelis at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Daniel Nelis, winning artist with his portrait at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
“We are thrilled to bring the AIB Portrait Prize to Letterkenny,” said Jeremy Howard, Director of the Regional Cultural Centre.
“This exceptional exhibition enriches the cultural life of the region and gives local audiences direct access to some of the most exciting developments in contemporary art today. It is especially meaningful for us to be hosting the exhibition when the winning artist, Daniel Nelis, is from Donegal, making this presentation in Letterkenny more special for our community.”
Jeremy Howard, Director of the Regional Cultural Centre at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Guests at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Some of the crowd at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Speaking about the tour, Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said:
“The AIB Portrait Prize continues to showcase the remarkable breadth and quality of contemporary portraiture being made today. We are delighted to see this exhibition travel to Letterkenny, ensuring that audiences across the country can engage with these powerful works.”
Fionnuala McBride, AIB Letterkenny speaking at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr. Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach Doengal County Council speaking at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Daniel Nelis with Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland and Adrian O’Carroll, National Gallery of Ireland at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Daniel Nelis, winning family with his family at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland speaking at the opening of the AIB National Portrait Exhibition in the RCC Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
“We are proud to welcome the AIB Portrait Prize exhibitions to Letterkenny. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the AIB portrait prize, one of the biggest annual art exhibitions held at the National Gallery Ireland, here in Donegal. The competition plays a vital role in celebrating a range of different practices and interpretations of portraiture. We recognise the importance of the arts in our community and to showcase exceptional talent local to Donegal and from right across Ireland. I encourage you to visit the exhibition in the Regional Cultural Centre at your earliest opportunity,” added Fionnuala McBride, AIB Letterkenny.
To accompany the AIB Portrait Prize, the Regional Cultural Centre will present a series of related talks, tours, and workshops throughout the exhibition period, offering additional opportunities for audiences of all ages to engage with contemporary art and portraiture.
The AIB Portrait Prize 2025 will be on view at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, from 4 April to 20 June 2026. Admission is free, with some events requiring pre-booking where applicable. For more information, please visit www.regionalculturalcentre.com.
Donegal artist Daniel Nelis showcased in Letterkenny AIB Portrait Prize exhibition was last modified: April 3rd, 2026 by Staff Writer