Waterford City artist receives major national accolade

John Foley, an artist from Waterford City, has received a highly commended prize in the AIB Portrait Prize 2025, with his piece titled 'Biddy Boy'.

His portrait was announced as one of two highly commended works at a ceremony in the Gallery, with the artist receiving a €1,500 prize.

Speaking on his piece, John said: “Each year, in mid-Kerry around St Brigid’s Day, groups known as Biddies travel to homes in the local area carrying a Brídeog, performing songs and dances, and bringing good fortune and prosperity to those they visit. 

"This tradition is being actively carried forward by the local schools in the area. My portrait of Evan O’Connor from Kilgobnet National School was captured as the pupils were preparing for the annual parade through Killorglin which marks the culmination of the festival.” 

Foley is a Dublin-based documentary photographer, originally from Waterford City. 

He has a longstanding interest in rituals, traditions, and shared experiences that create a sense of belonging. 

His photography focuses on capturing these moments, traditional and contemporary, pagan and religious. He also highlights how these foster connections and communal celebration. 

This curiosity has led him to document what it means to belong, among many different communities.

The overall winner of the prize announced at the ceremony was Daniel Nelis with his work 'Late Spring', a portrait in oil on panel. 

Along with a €15,000 prize, Nelis will also receive a €5,000 commission to create a new work for the National Portrait Collection.

Commenting on their selection, the judging panel said: “It has been a privilege to serve as the judges for the 2025 AIB Portrait Prize. The standard of submissions was exceptional, reflecting the remarkable creativity and skill of artists working across Ireland today. 

"Choosing the final winners was both inspiring and challenging, as the shortlisted works demonstrated such diversity of approach and strength of vision. Congratulations to Daniel Nelis, John Foley and Conor O’Leary, to the artists whose work features in this outstanding exhibition, and thanks to all those who submitted work to the competition.”

The AIB Portrait Prize exhibition, featuring 26 shortlisted works in total, is now open at the National Gallery of Ireland. 

It will run until March 15, 2026 alongside the AIB Young Portrait Prize exhibition of 20 shortlisted portraits. 

Both exhibitions will also be showcased in the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny and at the Waterford Gallery of Art from July 18 to October 11, 2026.