Strategic Plan outlines four priorities for the Gallery for the period 2024-2028
Gallery celebrates anniversary by announcing recent acquisitions, free tours and releasing free tickets to ‘Women Impressionists’ for Culture Night 2024

As part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s dual anniversary year, the Gallery has published a new Strategic Plan 2024-2028. The ambitious new plan, which is the first under the Directorship of Dr Caroline Campbell, includes a range of strategic priorities which will build on the Gallery’s existing work and help it evolve to best serve its collections and audiences, in the future. 

To celebrate the anniversary, the Gallery is sharing details of a selection of very special, recent acquisitions for the national collection. These include an etching by Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), Landscape with Cottages and a Hay Barn (1641), which is the first work on paper to enter the national collection by Rembrandt, one of the greatest printmakers of all time. Hughie O’Donoghue’s monumental Original Sins (2022), which was commissioned under the Decade of Centenaries Programme, has been acquired as a heritage gift under Section 1003. A vibrant oil on canvas by Dairine Vanston, On Huband Bridge, Dublin (1974), records a Dublin landmark just a few minutes’ walk from Vanston’s home and studio on Mount Street Crescent, but suggests more tropical climes.

The Gallery has programmed a number of free tours (New Acquisitions; Collection Highlights; and Gallery Architecture), which will take place on Saturday 10th August. The Gallery will also release free tickets to the critically-acclaimed Women Impressionists exhibition for Culture Night (Friday 20th September) on Saturday 10th August 2024. Tickets must be booked in advance via nationalgallery.ie. 

The four new strategic priorities for the National Gallery of Ireland are: 

• Developing and caring for our living collections for public benefit. The Gallery’s collection uniquely combines the greatest Irish and international art across seven centuries of human achievement. We interpret, research and expand this invaluable resource, honing the highest standards of scholarship and conservation.
• A National Gallery for all. We are a leader in sharing our collections, exhibitions and expertise with our growing and changing audiences, on site, online, across the island, and internationally. 
• Excellence in Corporate Services. We are held in regard as a world-class museum committed to improving its facilities and infrastructure, progressing the Master Development Plan and developing sustainable resources to fulfil our potential in a rapidly changing world.
• Strategic Partnerships. We exist for public purpose.  We grow national and international partnerships and income streams across the public and private sectors to advance our mission.

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said: “The National Gallery of Ireland is among the earliest public art galleries in the Western world. We hold one of Europe’s finest public art collections in trust for the people of Ireland, and for visitors from across the world. While these are rapidly changing times, our 170 years of experience, the support of the Irish government and our generous benefactors, old and new, our expert colleagues, and one of the world’s most unique collections of art, enable us to look forward to the future with energy and enthusiasm. On the 170th anniversary of the foundation of the Gallery, I’m proud to share our new Strategic Plan.”

Welcoming the Gallery’s 170th anniversary and new Strategic Plan, Mr Adrian O’Carroll, Chair of the Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland, said: “The National Gallery of Ireland is one of Europe’s finest public art collections, with a high reputation for audience engagement. In 2023, we welcomed over a million visitors to our Dublin site, and a further million people engaged with our digital platforms. We have a stellar collection, a committed Board and staff, and a belief in our mission and what we do. Our new strategic plan identifies key priorities which will shape our activity and programming until 2028. These ambitious plans will enhance our collections and research, further develop how we work with our audiences in Ireland and internationally, enable us to be more environmentally and financially sustainable, and lay the foundations for our continued future as a successful public art gallery in the 2030s and beyond.” 

The Gallery’s Strategic plan is available on our website. We welcome feedback on the plan from the public in writing by email to [email protected] or by post to National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, until 31 August 2024. 

To find out more about the Gallery’s 170th Anniversary, see the programme in the What’s On section of nationalgallery.ie. 
The Gallery would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for its ongoing support. 

ENDS

Media contact:

Fiona Sexton, Communications, Marketing & Digital Engagement Manager, National Gallery of Ireland, [email protected] 

Notes to editor:

• For images, please email [email protected] 
• Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, is available for interview.

Exhibitions currently on display at the National Gallery of Ireland:

An Túr Gloine: Artists and the Collective – Open until 12 January 2025. Free entry.  The first exhibition solely dedicated to the pioneering stained glass studio An Túr Gloine (The Tower of Glass) presented by the Gallery. It brings together a rich selection of archival material, watercolour sketch designs and stained glass. 

Walter Frederick Osborne: The Guinness Portrait – Open until 1 September 2024. Free entry. Walter Frederick Osborne’s full-length portrait of Mary Guinness with her daughter is exhibited alongside comparative works and associated items, including the silk dress worn by the sitter. 

Women Impressionists – Open until 6 October 2024. Tickets from €5. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874, this major international exhibition focuses on four women artists who were integral to Impressionism – Berthe Morisot (1841-1895), Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883), Marie Bracquemond (1860-1914), and Mary Cassatt (1844-1926).

Vermeer Visits – Open until 18 August 2024. Free entry. The National Gallery of Ireland unites the Frick Collection’s Mistress and Maid (ca. 1666-67) by Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) with the National Gallery of Ireland’s Women Writing a Letter, with her Maid (c.1670)

About the National Gallery of Ireland:

The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions housing the nation’s collection of European and Irish art from about 1300 to the present day, and an extensive Library & Archive. Entry to the collection and many temporary exhibitions are free for all to enjoy, learn and be inspired. Tickets are required for some temporary exhibitions. See nationalgallery.ie.

2024 Anniversaries at the National Gallery of Ireland:

2024 marks the 160th anniversary of the opening of the National Gallery of Ireland on 30 January 1864 and the 170th anniversary of the establishment of the Gallery through the National Gallery of Ireland Act (1854) on 10 August 1854. 

170th Anniversary free tours of the National Gallery of Ireland

170th Anniversary Tour: Recent Acquisitions
11.30am, Meet at the Courtyard. No booking required 

170th Anniversary Tour: Collection Highlights
13.00pm, Meet at the Courtyard. No booking required.

170th Anniversary Tour: Architecture 
14.30pm, Meet at the Courtyard. No booking required.

Recent Acquisitions

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669)
Landscape with Cottages and a Hay Barn, 1641 
Etching with touches of drypoint on paper
14.5 × 32.4 cm
Purchased, 2023

In this exquisite print, the first by Rembrandt to enter the collection, the artist presents three contrasting dwellings – a rich city on the left, a wealthy manor house on the right, and a humble rural dwelling in the centre. Although realistic, the scene is undoubtedly a work of Rembrandt’s imagination, created in his studio from various motifs observed in the surrounding countryside. The city in the distance at the left is Amsterdam, while the ruins probably belong to the Kostverloren estate, which Rembrandt drew several times. This is undoubtedly an early impression, in which Rembrandt’s play with light and shade in the foreground is beautifully realised.

Hughie O’Donoghue (b.1953)
Original Sins, 2022
Oil, mixed media on tarpaulin
350 × 275 cm (each work)
Heritage gift, 2023

A bespoke installation, this set of six large canvases was conceived in response to Daniel Maclise’s The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife, adjacent to which they were installed in the Gallery’s Shaw Room. O’Donoghue has long been fascinated by the fugitive nature of history, and the ways in which it is layered, faceted and bound up with memory, both personal and public. In Original Sins he addresses these complexities with reference to carefully chosen historical figures. The series features three men and three women, three Irish and three British, who have contributed in various ways and contexts, and to differing degrees, to how Irish and British people see themselves.

Dairine Vanston (Dublin 1903–1988 Dublin)
On Huband Bridge, Dublin, 1974 (detail)
Oil on canvas
55 × 80 cm
Presented, 2023

Vanston’s work from the 1970s and 1980s reflects the breadth of influences, both artistic and environmental, under which the artist worked. Comprising landscapes, still-life, flower paintings, portraits and abstract compositions in a variety of media, it calls to mind the late Cubism of André Lhote, but even more strongly the work of German Expressionist Franz Marc in theme and composition, and vernacular Costa Rican art in the often vibrant palette. On Huband Bridge, Dublin records a Dublin landmark just a few minutes’ walk from Vanston’s home and studio on Mount Street Crescent, but suggests more tropical climes.

 

 

Foilsíonn Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann Plean Straitéiseach nua ar chomóradh 170 bliain

Tá ceithre thosaíocht sa Phlean Straitéiseach don Ghailearaí don tréimhse 2024-2028
Déanann an Gailearaí ceiliúradh ar a chomóradh trí éadálacha le déanaí a fhógairt, turais saor in aisce agus ticéid saor in aisce a eisiúint chuig ‘Women Impressionists’ le haghaidh Oíche Chultúir 2024

Mar chuid de bhliain dhá chomóradh Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, tá Plean Straitéiseach nua 2024-2028 foilsithe ag an nGailearaí. Áiríonn an plean uaillmhianach nua, atá ar an gcéad cheann faoi Stiúrthóireacht an Dr Caroline Campbell, raon tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha a thógfaidh ar shaothar reatha an Gailearaí agus a chabhróidh leis fás chun freastal ar a bhailiúcháin agus a lucht éisteachta ar an mbealach is fearr amach anseo.

Chun an comóradh a cheiliúradh, tá an Gailearaí ag roinnt sonraí faoi rogha d’éadálacha an-speisialta le déanaí don bhailiúchán náisiúnta. Ina measc tá eitseáil le Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), Landscape with Cottages and a Hay Barn (1641), arb é an chéad saothar ar pháipéar le Rembrandt a cuireadh isteach sa bhailiúchán náisiúnta, duine de na déantóirí priontaí is fearr riamh. Tá pictiúr cuimhneacháin Hughie O'Donoghue Original Sins (2022), a coimisiúnaíodh faoin gClár Deich mBliana na gCuimhneachán, faighte mar bhronntanas oidhreachta faoi Alt 1003. Taifeadann olaphictiúr bríomhar ar chanbhás le Dairine Vanston, On Huband Bridge, Dublin (1974), sainchomhartha tíre i mBaile Átha Cliath ach cúpla nóiméad siúil ó theach agus stiúideo Vanston ar Chorrán Shráid an Mhóta, ach chuirfeadh sé na tíortha níos trópaiceach i gcuimhne duit.

Tá roinnt turas saor in aisce eagraithe ag an nGailearaí (Éadálacha Nua; Buaicphointí an Bhailiúcháin; agus Ailtireacht na Dánlainne), a bheidh ar siúl Dé Sathairn an 10ú Lúnasa. Eiseoidh an Gailearaí freisin ticéid saor in aisce chuig an taispeántas Women Impressionists a bhfuil cáil mhór air don Oíche Chultúir (Dé hAoine an 20ú Meán Fómhair) Dé Sathairn an 10ú Lúnasa 2024. Ní mór ticéid a chur in áirithe roimh ré trí nationalgallery.ie.

Is iad na ceithre thosaíocht straitéiseacha nua do Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann ná: 

• Ár mbailiúcháin bheo a fhorbairt agus aire a thabhairt dóibh ar mhaithe le leas an phobail. Cuimsíonn bailiúchán an Gailearaí an ealaín Éireannach agus idirnáisiúnta is fearr thar seacht gcéad bliain d’éachtaí daonna. Déanaimid an acmhainn luachmhar seo a léirmhíniú, a thaighde agus a leathnú, ag comhlíonadh na gcaighdeán is airde scoláireachta agus caomhnaithe.
• Gailearaí Náisiúnta do chách. Táimid chun tosaigh maidir lenár mbailiúcháin, ár dtaispeántais agus ár saineolas a roinnt lenár lucht féachana atá ag méadú agus ag athrú, ar an láthair, ar líne, ar fud an oileáin, agus go hidirnáisiúnta. 
• Sármhaitheas i Seirbhísí Corparáideacha. Breathnaítear orainn mar mhúsaem den chéad scoth atá tiomanta d’áiseanna agus a bhonneagar a fheabhsú, an Máistirphlean Forbartha a chur chun cinn agus acmhainní inbhuanaithe a fhorbairt chun ár gcumas a bhaint amach i ndomhan atá ag athrú go tapa.
• Comhpháirtíochtaí Straitéiseacha. Táimid ann chun críche poiblí.  Fásaimid comhpháirtíochtaí náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta agus sruthanna ioncaim ar fud na n-earnálacha poiblí agus príobháideacha chun ár misean a chur chun cinn.

Dúirt an Dr Caroline Campbell, Stiúrthóir Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann: “Tá Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann ar cheann de na gailearaithe ealaíne poiblí is luaithe sa domhan Thiar. Tá ceann de na bailiúcháin ealaíne poiblí is fearr san Eoraip ar iontaoibh againn do mhuintir na hÉireann, agus do chuairteoirí ar fud an domhain. Cé go bhfuil siad seo ag athrú go tapa, cuireann ár 170 bliain de thaithí, an tacaíocht ó rialtas na hÉireann agus ár dtabharthóirí flaithiúla, sean agus nua, ár gcomhghleacaithe saineolacha, agus ceann de na bailiúcháin ealaíne is uathúla ar domhan, ar ár gcumas breathnú ar aghaidh go dtí an todhchaí le fuinneamh agus le díograis. Ar chomóradh 170 bliain ó bunaíodh an Gailearaí, tá bród orm ár bPlean Straitéiseach nua a roinnt.”

Ag fáiltiú roimh chomóradh 170 bliain agus Plean Straitéiseach nua an Ghailearaí, dúirt an tUasal Adrian O’Carroll, Cathaoirleach Bhord Gobharnóirí agus Chaomhnóirí Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann: “Tá Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann ar cheann de na bailiúcháin ealaíne poiblí is fearr san Eoraip, le a ardcháil air as rannpháirtíocht an lucht féachana. I 2023, chuireamar fáilte roimh os cionn milliún cuairteoir chuig ár suíomh i mBaile Átha Cliath, agus chuaigh milliún duine eile i dteagmháil lenár n-ardáin dhigiteacha. Tá bailiúchán iontach againn, Bord agus foireann tiomanta, agus creidimid inár misean agus sa mhéid a dhéanaimid. Aithníonn ár bplean straitéiseach nua príomhthosaíochtaí a mhúnlaeoidh ár ngníomhaíocht agus ár gclár go dtí 2028. Cuirfidh na pleananna uaillmhianacha seo lenár mbailiúcháin agus ár dtaighde, déanfaidh siad tuilleadh forbartha ar an gcaoi a n-oibrímid lenár lucht féachana in Éirinn agus go hidirnáisiúnta, cuirfidh sé ar ár gcumas a bheith níos inbhuanaithe ó thaobh an chomhshaoil agus airgeadais de, agus leagfaidh sé an bhunsraith dár dtodhchaí leanúnach mar ghailearaí ealaíne poiblí rathúil sna 2030idí agus ina dhiaidh.” 

Tá plean straitéiseach an Ghailearaí ar fáil ar. Fáiltímid roimh aiseolas ar an bplean ón bpobal i scríbhinn trí ríomhphost chuig [email protected] nó tríd an bpost chuig Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, Cearnóg Mhuirfean Thiar, Baile Átha Cliath 2, go dtí an 31ú Lúnasa 2024. 

Chun tuilleadh a fháil amach faoi Chomóradh 170 Bliain an Ghailearaí, féach ar an gclár sa rannán Cad atá ar siúl de nationalgallery.ie. 
Ba mhaith leis an nGailearaí buíochas a ghabháil leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán as a tacaíocht leanúnach. 

CRÍOCH

Teagmháil leis na meáin:

Fiona Sexton, Bainisteoir Cumarsáide, Margaíochta & Rannpháirtíochta Digiteach, Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, [email protected] 

Nótaí don eagarthóir:

• Le haghaidh íomhánna, seol ríomhphost chuig [email protected] 
• Tá an Dr Caroline Campbell, Stiúrthóir Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, ar fáil le haghaidh agallaimh.

Taispeántais atá ar taispeáint faoi láthair ag Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann:

An Túr Gloine: Artists and the Collective –Ar oscailt go dtí an 12ú Eanáir 2025. Iontráil saor in aisce.  An chéad taispeántas atá tiomnaithe go hiomlán don stiúideo ceannródaíoch gloine dhaite An Túr Gloine (The Tower of Glass) a chuir an Gailearaí i láthair. Tugann sé le chéile rogha saibhir ábhar cartlainne, dearaí sceitse uiscedhatha agus gloine dhaite. 

Walter Frederick Osborne: The Guinness Portrait – Oscailte go dtí an 1ú Meán Fómhair 2024. Iontráil saor in aisce. Taispeántar portráid lánfhada Walter Frederick Osborne de Mary Guinness lena hiníon taobh le saothar comparáideach agus míreanna gaolmhara, lena n-áirítear an gúna síoda a chaith an suiteoir.

Women Impressionists – Ar oscailt go dtí an 6ú Deireadh Fómhair 2024. Ticéidí ó €5. Agus é ag ceiliúradh 150 bliain ar an gcéad thaispeántas Impriseanaíoch i 1874, díríonn an mórthaispeántas idirnáisiúnta seo ar cheathrar ban-ealaíontóirí a bhí lárnach don Impriseanachas – Berthe Morisot (1841-1895), Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883), Marie Bracquemond (1860-1914), agus Mary Cassatt (1844-1926).

Vermeer Visits – Ar oscailt go dtí an 18ú Lúnasa 2024. Iontráil saor in aisce. Ceanglaíonn Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann Mistress and Maid (ca. 1666-67) de chuid Bhailiúchán Frick le Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) le Women Writing a Letter, with her Maid ó Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann (c.1670).

Maidir le Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann:

Tá Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann ar cheann de na nithe is díol spéise do chuairteoirí sa tír ina bhfuil bailiúchán an náisiúin d’ealaín na hEorpa agus na hÉireann ó thart ar 1300 go dtí an lá inniu, agus Leabharlann agus Cartlann fhairsing ann freisin. Tá iontráil chuig an mbailiúchán agus go leor taispeántas sealadach saor in aisce do chách le taitneamh a bhaint as, le foghlaim agus le bheith spreagtha as. Tá ticéid ag teastáil le haghaidh roinnt taispeántas sealadach. Féach nationalgallery.ie.

Comóradh 2024 ag Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann:

Is é 2024 comóradh 160 bliain ó osclaíodh Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann ar an 30ú Eanáir 1864 agus comóradh 170 bliain ó bunaíodh an Gailearaí tríd an Acht um Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann (1854) ar an 10ú Lúnasa 1854. 

Turais saor in aisce ar Chomóradh 170 Bliain ar Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann

Turas Comóradh 170 Bliain: Éadálacha le Déanaí
11.30rn, Buail le chéile ag an gClós. Ní gá áirithint a dhéanamh

Turas Comóradh 170 Bliain: Buaicphointí an Bhailiúcháin
13.00in, Buail le chéile ag an gClós. Ní gá áirithint a dhéanamh.

Turas Comóradh 170 Bliain: Ailtireacht
14.30in, Buail le chéile ag an gClós. Ní gá áirithint a dhéanamh.  

Éadálacha le Déanaí

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669)
Landscape with Cottages and a Hay Barn, 1641 
Eitseáil le beagán de prionta turbheara ar pháipéar
14.5 × 32.4 cm
Ceannaithe, 2023

Sa phrionta fíorálainn seo, an chéad cheann le Rembrandt a cuireadh isteach sa bhailiúchán, cuireann an t-ealaíontóir trí theaghais chodarsnacha i láthair – cathair saibhir ar chlé, teach mainéir saibhir ar dheis, agus áit chónaithe beag simplí faoin tuath sa lár. Cé go bhfuil sé réalaíoch, níl aon dabht ach gur saothar de shamhlaíocht Rembrandt é an radharc, cruthaithe ina stiúideo as móitífeanna éagsúla a breathnaíodh sa tuath máguaird. Is í Amstardam an chathair i gcéin ar chlé, agus is dócha go mbaineann na fothracha le heastát Kostverloren, a tharraing Rembrandt arís agus arís eile. Gan dabht is léaráid luath é seo, ina bhfuil úsáid Rembrandt as solas agus scáth sa tulra réadaithe go hálainn.

Hughie O’Donoghue (b.1953)
Original Sins, 2022
Ola, meáin mheasctha ar tarpól
350 × 275 cm (gach saothar)
Bronntanas oidhreachta, 2023

Is suiteán shaincheaptha é seo de shé chanbhás mór a ceapadh mar fhreagra ar The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife le Daniel Maclise, áit a suiteáladh iad in aice láimhe i Seomra Shaw sa Ghailearaí. Tá O’Donoghue faoi dhraíocht ag nádúr teifeach na staire le fada an lá, agus na bealaí ina bhfuil sí ilsrathach, ilghnéitheach agus ceangailte le cuimhne, idir phearsanta agus phoiblí. I Original Sins tugann sé aghaidh ar na castachtaí sin agus tagairt á déanamh aige d'fhigiúirí stairiúla a roghnaíodh go cúramach. Sa tsraith tá triúr fear agus triúr ban, triúr Éireannach agus triúr Briotanach, a chuidigh ar bhealaí agus ar chomhthéacsanna éagsúla, agus ar mhéideanna éagsúla, leis an gcaoi a bhfeiceann muintir na hÉireann agus na Breataine iad féin.

Dairine Vanston (Baile Átha Cliath 1903–1988 Baile Átha Cliath)
On Huband Bridge, Dublin, 1974 (sonraí)
Olaphictiúr ar chanbhás
55 × 80 cm
Curtha i láthair, 2023

Léiríonn saothar Vanston ó na 1970í agus na 1980idí fairsinge na dtionchar, idir ealaíonta agus imshaoil, faoinar oibrigh an t-ealaíontóir. Ag cuimsiú tírdhreacha, neamhbheo, pictiúir bláthanna, portráidí agus cumadóireacht teibí i meáin éagsúla, is fiú aird a thabhairt ar Chiúbachas déanach André Lhote, ach níos treise fós saothar an Eispriseanaí Ghearmánaigh Franz Marc i dtéama agus i gcomhdhéanamh, agus ealaín dhúchasach Cósta Ríceach sa phailéad a bhíonn bríomhar go minic. Taifeadann On Huband Bridge, Dublin sainchomhartha tíre i mBaile Átha Cliath ach cúpla nóiméad siúil ó theach agus stiúideo Vanston ar Chorrán Shráid an Mhóta, ach chuirfeadh sé na tíortha níos trópaiceach i gcuimhne duit.