The Icon Factory

25/06/2025

It’s never easy to share difficult news. Our dear friend Barney, founder of Icon and the visionary behind The Icon Walk, passed away peacefully on Monday. He was a true gladiator in his battle with illness — full of passion for life and always with a mind of his own.

Rest in peace, my friend. Your contribution, your inspiration, and the people you brought together have beautifully shaped our journey — and continue to do so.

Enjoy your next journey, wherever you are now.

Once the date of the modest farewell ceremony is confirmed, the details will be available on rip.ie.

28/03/2025

🎨 Thank You from The Icon Factory Collective 💛

From the beginning, we’ve been an independent, artist-led collective based in Temple Bar. As we look back on this incredible 13+ year journey, we’re filled with gratitude. The Icon Factory Collective has become what it is today because of YOU – our amazing supporters, friends, and especially the dedicated volunteers who have given their time, talent, and hearts to keep our vision alive.

There are too many wonderful people to name in one post (and we're still adding to the list!), but a few deserve special mention:
Kevin Bohan Art , , Fergal Coghlan Art , Aga Szot, Grainne Kellye, Edan Keenan , Anthony Carey , Deaddeerart, Zig zak gallery Maximillist Art, Pawel Jasinski, Skelly Be, Naomi Zanardo etc etc etc! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

To all our in-house artists, Erasmus students, work placement participants, activators, project friends, lawyers, accountants, and everyone who contributed their skills – THANK YOU. You are the soul of The Icon Factory. Your generosity and passion have shaped our story and helped us build a space that celebrates Ireland’s rich cultural heritage through art.

If you've been part of our story, please tag yourself in the comments – we’d love to say thank you.

Together, we’ve created something truly unique – a place where local and international artists connect, where culture comes to life, and where every piece tells a story. 💫

Over the years, we’ve worked with more than 100 artists. The work has always been about connection, creativity, and meaning.

Here’s to everything we’ve built together – and everything that’s still to come. 🎉

With heartfelt thanks,
The Icon Factory & The Icon Walk

18/03/2025

After an incredible weekend of celebrating Irish heritage and culture, we couldn’t think of a better moment to share some exciting news with you—the launch of our online venture, The Icon Factory Online!

For over a decade The Icon Factory has been a Dublin based collective dedicated to creativity, supporting artists, and celebrating Irish culture. Through fine art we have honoured the real heritage of Ireland and the people who have shaped its identity.

When we were forced to close our physical location, we knew that letting our vision fade was not an option. That’s why co-founder and co-creator of The Icon Project, Aga Szot, took the initiative to bring The Icon Factory into the digital world. This is just the beginning!

We’re thrilled to introduce our new online store, where you can check out and purchase our work so far and look forward to exciting new collaborations with artists and businesses that support locally produced art.

Click on the link here or the link in our bio!
www.iconfactorydublin.com

06/12/2023

Dublin’s creative community has suffered another blow with the closure of the Icon Factory in Temple Bar. The artists’ cooperative and gallery, which provided a space for emerging artists since 2010, cited high commercial rents as the reason for their closure.With limited studio space already in the city, it has become increasingly difficult and expensive for creatives to live and work in Dublin. This trend has led to a loss of creativity and vibrancy in the city, as artists are forced to seek more affordable options elsewhere.



what are your thoughts about this?

For more follow .ie

05/12/2023

Thank you Lovin Dublin for the article on the closing of Cultural and Artistic spaces within Dublin City.

Another all-important studio space has closed in DublinOn my commute into work, I pass a space that used to house Block T in Kilmainham's Bow Lane. The site is in various stages of being cleared for building, the bright mural from Dublin graffiti artist Decoy, is disassembled wit

04/12/2023

Done & Dusted.
Let’s start chapter 2.

04/12/2023

The Icon Factory may be gone but the writings on the wall.
A couple of expressions and impressions that were left there...

02/12/2023

I guess that’s it from all of us at The Icon Factory here in Temple Bar for the time being.
Nothing left but but a final ‘Goodbye’
Thanks to everyone for everything over the last 13 years.
MURAL: and .bocancea.art

01/12/2023

Shane MacGowan 1957 - 2023
Everyone at The Icon Factory is saddened to hear of the passing of legendary songwriter, singer and musician Shane MacGowan. Shane and The Pogues music has long been a favourite here at The icon Factory and we bumped into Shane and Victoria over the years.
Artworks of Shane have been fan’s favourites from day one and thousands of people have dropped by to see the Shane MacGowan panel on The Icon Walk here in Temple Bar.
Our condolences To Victoria and Shane’s family at this time.
Gone but most definitely will not be forgotten.

29/11/2023

Thank You Sarah () reporter for The Irish Independent Newspaper for the article and interviews regarding the closing of The Icon Factory this week.
.ie

27/11/2023

THANK YOU
Thanks to everyone who popped in over the weekend for The Icon Factory and The Aga Szot Atelier Goodbye Events over the weekend.
Thanks to everyone who messaged, posted online, rang and sent their support.
Thanks to everyone and anyone who has supported us over the last 13 years.
From everyone at The icon Factory.

Kevin Bohan Art Aga Szot

25/11/2023

BOBBY No.109 // END OF AN ERA (with KEVIN BOHAN & CROSK)
Bobby is fu***ng frustrated, and with good reason, The Icon factory after thirteen years in Temple Bar is closing it’s doors.
Unfortunately with commercial rents so high we cannot as an organisation and registered charity afford to open and pay for a new place at the moment.
CROSK and Kevin did an impromptu mural last week to highlight and process this.
A picture speaks a thousand words and Kevin uses his art to do this, however CROSK, graffiti writer, wrote a few words along with his artwork that helps us sum up how we all feel about Art, Culture, Temple Bar and the closing of The Icon Factory.
Temple bar becoming
the temple of bars,
cultural quarter
where art is drawn
and culture is quartered,
gentrified with a light touch
of a Bulldozer,
Pipe smoke rise
to the skies,
from the temple
of the greedy gods,
secret handshakes
Holy chants,
Gentrify, Gentrify!
Burnt offerings
smells like curry & fries
- by CROSK
Don’t let what happened in town yesterday dampen the closing celebrations of the Aga Szot Atelier and The icon Factory, all events go ahead as planned.
AGA SZOT ‘END OF AN ERA’ Exhibition:
Opening Friday the 24th and open all day Saturday 25th at The icon Factory and Aga Szot Atelier. 10 years of stunning, vibrant paintings and artworks.
ICON FACTORY 'GOODBYE GATHERING’
Sunday the 26th at The Icon Factory with drinks, snacks, music, and photographic exhibition…. Possible drunken dancing, hugging and tears.
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