National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland, located in the heart of Dublin’s Georgian District, is one of the country’s main cultural institutions, offering a rich collection of artworks ranging from the 14th century to the present day. Founded in 1854 and opened to the public ten years later, the gallery has immediately represented a reference point for Irish and European art. The gallery’s history is closely linked to prominent figures of Irish culture. One of the first and most influential supporters was William Dargan, known as the father of the Irish railway network, who in 1853 proposed to the Royal Dublin Society to organize a large art exhibition in Dublin. The success of the exhibition led to the decision to establish a permanent national gallery, which was designed by architect Francis Fowke. The gallery was officially inaugurated on January 30, 1864, by the Earl of Carlisle with an initial collection of 112 paintings, including pieces loaned from the National Gallery in London and other European museums. Over the years, the National Gallery of Ireland has continued to grow thanks to donations, bequests, and strategic purchases. One of the most significant contributions was from the Countess of Milltown, who in 1901 donated over 200 paintings, as well as a collection of silverware, furniture, and books. This generous gift necessitated the construction of an extension to the original building, now known as the Milltown Wing. The Beit Wing, added in 1968, was dedicated to the generosity of Sir Alfred and Lady Clementine Beit, who donated 17 valuable paintings by old masters to the gallery. A moment of great significance for the gallery was in 1990, with the discovery of Caravaggio’s “The Taking of Christ.” This painting, believed to have been lost for centuries, was found in a Jesuit house in Dublin by conservator Sergio Benedetti. The discovery generated great excitement both nationally and internationally, and the painting is now one of the most prized pieces in the collection. The gallery’s collection includes over 16,300 artworks, covering a wide range of styles and periods. Among the artists represented are masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Goya, Monet, and Picasso, as well as a vast selection of Irish artists like Jack B. Yeats, John Lavery, and Louis le Brocquy. The gallery is particularly known for its collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, with works by artists such as Fra Angelico, Titian, and Tintoretto. In recent decades, the gallery has undergone significant restoration and expansion work. The Millennium Wing, inaugurated in 2002, gave a new face to the gallery with its Portland stone facade and an impressive atrium. This expansion project has allowed for the display of an even greater number of works and the hosting of events and temporary exhibitions.