The National Gallery of Ireland
| Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann | |
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 Location within Dublin
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| Established | 1864 |
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| Location | Merrion Square West, Dublin, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°20′27″N 6°15′09″W / 53.340914°N 6.252554°WCoordinates: 53°20′27″N 6°15′09″W / 53.340914°N 6.252554°W |
| Type | Art museum |
| Key holdings |
Kitchen Maid with the Supper at Emmaus Portrait of Doña Antonia Zárate The Taking of Christ Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid Connemara Girl |
| Director | Sean Rainbird |
| Public transit access | Clare Street bus stop Stephen's Green Luas stop (Green Line) Dublin Pearse railway station |
| Website | www |
The National Gallery of Ireland (Irish: Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann) houses the national collection of Irish and European art. It is located in the centre of Dublin with one entrance on Merrion Square, beside Leinster House, and another on Clare Street. Due to ongoing renovations, the Clare Street entrance is the only one currently open. It was founded in 1854 and opened its doors ten years later. The Gallery has an extensive, representative collection of Irish painting and is also notable for its Italian Baroque and Dutch masters painting. The current director is Sean Rainbird. Entry is free.
In 1853 an exhibition, the Great Industrial Exhibition, was held on the lawns of Leinster House in Dublin. Among the most popular exhibits was a substantial display of works of art organised and underwritten by the railway magnate William Dargan. The enthusiasm of the visiting crowds demonstrated a public for art, and it was decided to establish a permanent public art collection as a lasting monument of gratitude to Dargan. The moving spirit behind the proposal was the barrister John Edward Pigot (1822-1871), son of David Richard Pigot, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, and he became one of the first Governors of the Gallery. The façade of the National Gallery copies the Natural History building of the National Museum of Ireland which was already planned for the facing flank of Leinster House. The building itself was designed by Francis Fowke, based on early plans by Charles Lanyon, and was completed and opened in 1864.
The Gallery was unlucky not to have been founded around an existing collection, but through diligent and skilful purchase, by the time it opened it had 125 paintings. In 1866 an annual purchase grant was established and by 1891 space was already limited. In 1897, the Dowager Countess of Milltown indicated her intention of donating the contents of Russborough House to the Gallery. This gift included about 223 paintings, 48 pieces of sculpture, 33 engravings, much silver, furniture and a library, and prompted construction from 1899 to 1903 of what is now called the Milltown Wing, designed by Thomas Newenham Deane.
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Wikipedia