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David D.

Dublin

23/09/2009 1 photo

The Millennium wing is the most modern Wing of the National Gallery of Ireland. It has been the centre of many debates on whether it is a good or bad building... it's location away from the largely classical design of the original gallery enabled it to bring a modern touch to the gallery, and that it did.

From the outside the ultra modern facade takes up its place between two typical Georgian buildings... it rises tot he same height yet is dominated by juxtaposing angles and windows, with an emphasis on the vertical and the horizontal.

The front doors are super heavy, once you have passed both sets you find the hustle and bustle of the street has been replaced with a massive open area... the open plan allows for a huge space that seems carved out of the buildings around it. The Gallery itself was designed to become a work of art, and its overall design, while awkward and disorderly in its nature also allows for a more efficient and customisable gallery space. The original building had been from a whole other era of Art, and lacked the modern design to enable the most optimal exhibiting techniques... the new building has everything.

You will find access to the old building by climbing the stairs all the way to the top corner, entering near to the Caravaggio painting that puts the Gallery on the international map.

There are special exhibition spaces on the top floor and often you will find some excellent cutting edge exhibitions here.

Bottom floor you will find a space that has been devoted to modern Irish artists and there is an excellent display of how we took part in the modern movement at the turn of the 20th century.

There is also a cloakroom, cafe/restaurant and a book/gift shop to boot.

It is a must see for any tourist and should be a regular on the things to do for anyone in the area!

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