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National Gallery of Ireland
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thu 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Good for Children:
- Yes
7 reviews for National Gallery of Ireland
It's pretty shocking that the first time I went here was just a few months ago, always the way... The good stuff is right in front of your nose but you think the grass is always greener. I never doubted it's ability to awe but like your childhood home, it will always be there so I opted to explore other places.
The layout of the building is appealing to any one with an inkling to explore. Rooms open up into chambers; chambers turn into corridors; classical art lapses into modern canvasses. Such a varied and intense collection but not over whelming. My personal favourite are the portraits of important Irish figures; the painting of Dr Browne had me fixated for a good 20 minutes.
What better than to end the free culture with a chocolate muffin and coffee in their cafe. The food there was surprisingly good; so good in fact I've been back several times just to eat there.
Sometimes you have to go home for a little while to really learn the important stuff. To really understand the Irish psyche this place is a must do; I think I get us that bit more.
The National Gallery of Ireland was established in 1854, and opened its doors to the public in January 1864 with just 125 paintings. Today the collection has over 8000 paintings, watercolors, drawings and miniatures, more than 3,000 prints, 331 pieces of sculpture, vestments and objet d'art.
Perhaps the gallery's most famous painting is Caravaggio's "The Taking of Christ", which was lost for about 200 years until it was discovered in a Jesuit house on Leeson Street in 1993 (it had been mistaken for a copy of the original!). You can also find works of Goya, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Bellini, Michaelangelo and any more famous artists.
There is also a comprehensive collection of Irish artists - Jack B. Yeats (brother of the poet W.B. Yeats and probably Ireland's most important painter) has a whole section devoted to him.
This is a great way to spend a rainy day or a lazy afternoon.
Tips:
Admission is FREE
Has 2 entrances, one on Merrion Square the other on Clare Street.
Plan on spending a couple of hours here
I hadn't been here for years, literally years! last time i entered this hallowed building i was about seven and i was on a school tour.
I dont see the point of bringing crowds of kids in here they jsut dont get it, i know i didnt when i was younger, its a load of pictures on a wall!
now walking in here you are awed by all of the masterpieces around you, there infornt of your eyes are pieces of work that are worth millions and are literally famous. its like walking along a line of famous people or something.
the bit i like most though is the gift shop, you spot a painting that you really like hanging gloriously on one of the art gallery walls and then when you get to the shop you can buy a small little postcard sized version of it to bring home with you to stick on your fridge! :-)
For all of those people who dig deep into their pockets, buy a flight to Rome, Paris, Venice, Berlin, New York etc etc etc arrive in their hotel and get really REALLY excited about going to visit the respective galleries in these cities because their collections are sooooo good and the art is sooooo amazing.
I wonder why they didnt first think... hmmm lets go visit the national gallery in our own country and see what it has to offer.
I study Art history.. and on my travels i have constantly been asked if it is hard to study te subject i a country with "no good art" and "no architecture"....
The National Gallery will put those people feet right into a huge pile of proverbial bull plop if ever they took the time to look at whats on offer..
Monet? Check
Carravaggio? Check
Picasso? Check
Van Gough? Check
Titian? Check
Delacroix? Check
Pissaro, Renoir... Yeats... LeBroquey... Rembrandt!.. Vermeer!
Cmon! The list goes on!
And thats not including the brilliant ongoing exhibition of Irish 20th century artists and before we leave the Yeats issue ... take note that Jack Yeats is one of the most highly regarded artists in the world... and WE have the best collection of his work... and people come here just to see it..
And if you are ignorent to the sheer importance and brilliance of the Carravaggio hanging on the walls i ask you to take the time to realise just how important it is... one of the greatest works by the artist still serviving today!
Then there are the special exhibitons which a next to nothing and even more so for students... which display some of the greatest works ever and in the excellent new space in the Millenium wing (a stunning example of art and architecture itself!)
And its all free... FREE
cant say that about Gallaries on the continent or in Europe...
We're doing quite well... so give it a chance... it is a gemm!
What can I say about the national Gallery. I'm a huge fan and its just gotten better over the years. With the addition of the new wing, which is an amazing building in itself its a must see for pretty much anyone visitor or resident of Dublin.
Although most of the gallery is free. They do occasionally charge for temporary exhibits. Yes its not the Louvre but thats what nice about the place.
As for the art, theres a huge Irish contingent featuring works by Hamilton, Barry, Lavery, Orpen and Henry, the one's that haven't been bought up by bored rich people. A twentieth century Irish art collection is currently being shown, as well as sculpture and a whole wing for Jack B Yeats.
Even if your not an art lover, check out the place for the restaurant and the fantastically well stocked gift shop. Theres also a restaurant under construction.
As well as all the art theres huge reseach collections, some available to the public. The website has all the details.
I enjoy a good art museum and I've been to several including the Guggenheim in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC and yes, even the Carnegie in my native Pittsburgh. I've often felt though that when visiting an art museum, it should be judged on its own merits.
The collection includes paintings from the 14th century through the 21st century. I really enjoyed the exhibits on the re-emergence of Irish paintings in the 17th century. The sculpture collection mainly ranges from the 17th century up to the 19th century. I tend to be a fan of objets d'art (or decorative arts). I really enjoyed the glass pieces made by Maurice Marinot. Too bad the collection is rather small. The National Gallery hosts a good collection of prints, etchings, and drawings too.
The current exhibition is Henry Clarke's illustrations on Hans Christian Anderson's Fairy Tales. These are intricately detailed illustrations, originally done in 1916. As a kid, I really enjoyed the fairy tales, so I really enjoyed this exhibition.
Most of this museum is free, and that includes any audio tours available and also the temporary exhibitions. They also do concerts here, and my husband and I went to see the National Choir give an outstanding performance.
The National Gallery of Ireland is a large, bright modern gallery which houses some fine examples of Irish and international art. It also regularly hosts interesting transitional exhibitions.
The thing I like about the National Gallery is that it does not restrict its remit to 'art on paper' but tries to make a connection with other aspects of 'the arts' such as literature and music. I saw an excellent talk by poet Eavan Boland here a few years ago as well as an exhibition of artwork inspired by the literature of Samuel Beckett. Currently, there is an exhibition running which features illustrations created by Harry Clarke for Hans Christian Anderson's 'Fairytales'. The National Gallery also hosts regular concerts, particularly during the summer months. Most exhibitions are free and concert prices are reasonable.
As John says, this isn't the Louvre, but Dublin isn't Paris, nor do we want it to be!
