A Stunning Irish-Japanese Art Exhibition at Farmleigh Gallery

Encounters With Lafcadio Hearn is now open at Farmleigh Gallery, offering a stunning fusion of Irish and Japanese printmaking. Running until 24th August 2025, this exhibition brings together 40 artists, 20 from Ireland and 20 from Japan, who respond to Hearn’s Kwaidan, a haunting collection of Japanese ghost stories published in 1904.

Lafcadio Hearn, who was born in Greece, grew up in Ireland, and gained literary acclaim in Japan, served as a cultural link between East and West. His deep appreciation for Japanese folklore and supernatural tales inspired these captivating prints, celebrating his legacy while strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

This year marks the 175th anniversary of Hearn’s birth, making this exhibition a timely tribute. Farmleigh Gallery’s presentation also coincides with Dublin’s Experience Japan festival on the 27th of April, adding to the vibrant cultural exchange.

After captivating audiences in Japan, from Matsue to Kyoto, and touring Ireland in locations like Waterford and Limerick, the exhibition is now making its mark in Dublin. Later this year, it will be showcased at the Osaka World Expo and find a permanent home at Ireland House in Tokyo before heading to the UK and the USA in 2026.

Visitors will also be immersed in Yōkai, an eerie electroacoustic sound installation by Neil O’Connor, enhancing the supernatural themes of Kwaidan and bringing Hearn’s ghostly tales to life.

Step into the world of Kwaidan and experience a unique meeting of Irish and Japanese artistic traditions, where folklore, fine art, and history intertwine.

Kwaidan—Encounters with Lafcadio Hearn

• Where: Farmleigh Gallery, Phoenix Park, Dublin
• When: Until 24th August 2025 (Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–1 pm & 2 pm–5 pm)
• Admission: Free
• Events: Talks and discussions (€10, book at Eventbrite)