The National Library of Ireland’s National Photographic Archive (NPA) is home to the world’s largest collection of Irish photographs. This collection has been acquired through purchase and through generous donation. While most of the collections are historical there are some contemporary collections. Subject matter ranges from topographical views to studio portraits and from political events to early tourist photographs.

The NPA is an award winning architectural building. The NPA opened in October 1998. Since then some 50 exhibitions have been hung in the NPA gallery, a number in collaboration with other institutions like the annual PhotoIreland Festival and the Dublin Institute of Technology Graduate show. Exhibitions are open seven days a week and they are free to visit. Previous exhibition include Small Lives; Photographs of children from 1880s to 1960s and Power and Privilege: photographs of the Big House in Ireland 1858-1922. For information on current exhibitions see the NLI website.