Press release 15/06/2018
National Gallery of Ireland Celebrates 1st Anniversary of Reopening its Historic Wings
On Friday 15 June 2018, the National Gallery of Ireland celebrates the first anniversary of its reopening to the public following a major six-year refurbishment. Since the reopening, visits to the Gallery have almost doubled, with 1,065,929 visitors in 2017, up 41% on the 2016 figure of 755,577. This maintains the Gallery’s lead position as Ireland’s most popular free visitor attraction in 2017, as documented by Fáilte Ireland. In December 2017, the Gallery welcomed its one-millionth visitor for that year.
The refurbishment of the Gallery, between March 2011 and 2016, under Phases One, Two and Three of its Master Development Plan (MDP) included re-roofing the Dargan and Milltown Wings; the construction of an energy centre under the forecourt of the Gallery on Merrion Square; the creation of a new courtyard between the Dargan and Milltown Wings; and enhancement of the existing gallery spaces with new lighting and décor, plus a stained glass room. A Changing Places bathroom was purpose-built for increased accessibility.
The changes allowed for enhanced flow of visitors through the galleries, to enjoy the new presentation of over 650 works, now on view in chronological order, with thematic groupings. The MDP project brought the premises up to, and beyond, the standard of a modern European art gallery, fit to house the national art collection.
The project was carried out by the Office of Public Works with Heneghan Peng as the appointed architects and John Paul Construction as the main contractor. It was co-funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Office of Public works.
Commenting, Sean Rainbird, Director, National Gallery of Ireland said: “The Gallery's historic wings look magnificent. We are delighted our visitors have enjoyed the new displays, exhibitions and programmes we have presented since the reopening last year".
In December 2017 the Gallery was nominated for one of the world’s most prestigious museum accolades, the annual European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA). The Gallery was also delighted to win the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Irish Architecture Awards - Culture/Public category - for the refurbishment of the historic wings, on Friday 8 June 2018.
Since reopening, the Gallery has offered a stellar programme of critically acclaimed exhibitions by masters from Ireland and abroad, such as Johannes Vermeer, Käthe Kollwitz, Frederic William Burton, William Orpen, J.M.W. Turner with Niall Naessens, and Emil Nolde. The blockbuster exhibition Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry surpassed 100,000 visitors. The Gallery also engaged with contemporary artists, exhibiting work by current practitioners such as Garrett Phelan, Brian Fay, Dragana Jurišić, Maser, and mural artist Joe Caslin.
A programme of complementary events supporting exhibition themes included concerts held in collaboration with the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), featuring leading musicians such as flute player Sir James Galway and pianist John O’Conor, and performances by contemporary artists like Lisa O’Neill.
Other highlights of the reopening year include the Gallery achieving SWIFT accreditation in July 2017, and the relaunch of the Corporate Partnership programme in November of the same year. Corporate partners now include ESB, Focal Media, SMBC Aviation Capital, Sarasin & Partners, Ryanair, Maples & Calder, and Zurich. The Gallery also announced a 1-year collaboration with nail bar Tropical Popical in June 2018.
Future plans for the Gallery will focus on completion of Phase 4 of the Master Development Plan (MDP). This will bring improvements to the public route between Merrion Square and Clare Street; full integration of technologies across all wings; new conservation studios; new facilities for Ireland’s largest art library and archive; and a dedicated education space. The Gallery welcomes a recent commitment by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as outlined in their Project Ireland Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage 2018-2017 document, to support Phase 4 of the MDP, with an anticipated €54 million investment.
Sean Rainbird added: “Following the recent government announcement, we look forward to completing our master plan in the years to come.”
About the National Gallery of Ireland
Established in 1854 by an Act of Parliament, the National Gallery of Ireland houses the nation’s collection of Irish and wider European fine art spanning the early Renaissance to the present day, with over 16,300 works of art. The Gallery is also home to the National Portrait Collection (established 1874).