Art Museum

National Gallery of Ireland

Dublin City, Ireland

National Gallery of Ireland is an art museum in Dublin City, Ireland. 27 works from its collection are in this catalog, including Titian and Paolo Veronese.

About National Gallery of Ireland

Overview

The National Gallery of Ireland (Irish: Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann) houses the national collection of Irish and European art. Located in the centre of Dublin, the gallery is open to the public with free admission. It serves as a major research centre, holding a library with over 100,000 published volumes and significant archival holdings. The institution is dedicated to the study of art history and provides accessible facilities for all visitors.

History & Founding

The gallery was not founded around an existing collection. Its establishment was suggested by the interest occasioned by the Exhibition held in Dublin in 1853. Following this, the Irish Institution was formed to promote the gallery's creation. The gallery officially opened to the public on Saturday, 30 January 1864, by the Earl of Carlisle. At the time of opening, the collection comprised just 112 pictures, including thirty-nine purchased in Rome in 1856 and thirty on loan.

Building & Architecture

The original building was designed by Thomas Newenham Deane and opened in 1864. The gallery was extended in 1903 with the Milltown Wing and again in 1962 with a new wing designed by Frank DuBerry of the Office of Public Works. In 2002, the Millennium Wing, designed by English architects, was opened, featuring street frontage. A major renovation programme commenced in March 2011 to repair the Dargan (1864) and Milltown (1903) wings, which was completed in June 2017, reclaiming their original period elegance.

Collection Highlights

The collection comprises about 14,000 artworks, including approximately 2,500 oil paintings, 5,000 drawings, and 5,000 prints. The gallery holds particularly rich holdings of Western European art from the Middle Ages onwards, with extensive collections relating to Irish and Italian art. Notable holdings include works by Caravaggio and Vermeer, as well as a significant archive and collection related to Jack B. Yeats and members of his family, known as the Yeats Archive.

Archives & Research

The Gallery Archives contain official records documenting the history of the institution from the 1850s to the present day. These include minute books of the Board since 1855, registers of paintings and other works, and papers relating to directors such as Hugh Lane and Thomas McGreevy. The 'Source' online resource provides access to over 19,000 records and 6,000 associated images from the archive, serving as a valuable resource for those interested in the development of the Gallery and Irish cultural affairs.

Significance

The National Gallery of Ireland is the national repository for Irish and European art, playing a central role in the cultural life of Dublin and Ireland. It functions as Ireland's leading research centre for art and art history, supported by its comprehensive library and archives. The gallery's commitment to accessibility and public engagement, including free entry and specialized tours, underscores its role as a public institution dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of art history.