Yard Gallery

If you’re looking for a unique gift for a friend or family member I would suggest visiting the Yard Gallery on Holywood High Street. The Gallery stocks photography, illustrations, typography, film posters and other prints all from local artists. You can also visit their website but I would suggest popping in to see the art in the flesh. Sometimes when you view art, especially original art, online it doesn’t do it justice at all. The Yard gallery is quite small and when more than 3 people are in at any one time it can get quite cramped. But never fear there is a high quality café next door. You can also pick up a prints catalogue in the adjoining café that lists the art on sale in detail. So if you see anything you like you can just pop next door and see if it’s what you want.
Prints can be framed immediately in store, so if you are purchasing something you can grab a coffee and collect your purchase ready to hang on the way out. Also worth noting if you know a friend who likes art but are not sure what they would like you can pick up gift vouchers! Genuinely one of the best places to buy local art.

The yard gallery is a quirky shop situated in the same building as The Yard eating establishment. This makes it a lovely relaxing place to enjoy browsing through the pictures, prints and other art work by local talent. It’s a great place to purchase that special present with a difference. The selection of art work was quite exquisite and i definitely will call back to have another look as I’m sure there will be something different to see on each visit.

Even though the coffee shop at the Yard Gallery had closed by the time I arrived there I was made to feel very welcome to look around the collection of prints in this gallery and shop. They featured mainly local subject matter such as views and landscapes which were at the same time contemporary and upbeat, not too traditional in the way that some art of that type can be.

The coffee shop is downstairs but there are better seats and comfortable sofas upstairs where it is light and spacious with good sea views. There you can relax and look at the catalogue of prints as well as the pictures hanging up on the walls which included old Northern Ireland tourism posters of the 20s and 30s though that’s only a small part of the display.
Though the work is of good quality you don’t get the exclusive, cliquey feel of some other galleries. A really attractive place where the idea of art for sale with a café combined works brilliantlly for me and, I suspect, plenty of others if the busy lively atmosphere was anything to go by.

Have you ever walked into a shop from a quiet street only to be greeted by the hustle and bustle of the patrons? I was literally gob smacked by this gallery. The walls are lined with artwork — all framed and priced. There isn’t a space anywhere and it is just stunning.
Having never been in this shop before my breath was taken away — I love this gallery.
There is a quirky lady on the desk who doesn’t even glance in your direction and I don’t mean that in a bad way, I mean she isn’t all over you like a plague of wasps trying to get you to buy.
The whole atmosphere is alive with people looking at art, discussing artists and drinking and eating in the adjacent coffee house.
I could have stayed all day. I particularly love the collection of black and white prints and the unique little gifts made from bottle tops.
There is a great Belfast feel with the paintings of Harland and Wolff and famous landmarks such as The Crown Bar.
Upstairs is also a buzz with people eating and looking at the gorgeous displays.
Honestly, I was blown away — this is the nicest, freshest gallery I have been in in Northern Ireland — fab!