This is the fifth year of our annual portrait prize competition showcasing contemporary portraiture, and this year we are delighted to welcome Zurich on board as sponsors.

The competition attracts entries from across the island of Ireland, and from Irish artists living abroad. One artist receives a prize of €15,000 and a commission worth €5,000 to produce a new work for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection.

Two additional prizes of €1,500 will be awarded to highly commended works by our 2018 judging panel - Tanya Kiang, Geraldine O’Neill, and Sue Rainsford - and will be announced on 22 October.