merrion street

The Minister for Arts, Heritage Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Tuesday) announced that she is approving a grant of €490,000 to the National Gallery of Ireland to contribute to essential commissioning and re-hanging works prior to the reopening of the Gallery’s historic Milltown and Dargan wings.

The Minister’s announcement comes as the major refurbishment and renovation works at the Gallery, costing more than €30 million, enter their final stage. The historic Miltown and Dargan wings are being completely refurbishment to bring them up to international standards.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“The renovation of the historic Milltown and Dargan wings of the National Gallery has been the most significant capital project in our National Cultural Institutions over the past decade. It is the biggest and most ambitious refurbishment work to take place at the Gallery since it opened in 1864. Once completed, the works will transform the Gallery into a world class exhibition space.

“I am happy to approve this capital funding of €490,000, which will help the Gallery to prepare for the re-opening of the Dargan and Milltown wings. In particular, the grant will fund commissioning and re-hanging works.

“The expanded National Gallery will be a wonderful addition to our cultural infrastructure. As this project nears completion, a number of other significant investment projects in our cultural institutions are getting underway, including the €10 million upgrading works at the National Library and an €8 million investment at the National Archives.


“It is expected that the refurbishment work at the National Gallery will be completed in September and that the refurbished wings will be re-opened to the public in the first quarter of 2017. The renovation of the Gallery will bring it up to the very best international standards and will allow it to hold world class exhibitions of both Irish and international art.”

Note to Editors:

The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of historic Irish and European fine art. It is located on Merrion Square in the heart of Georgian Dublin directly adjacent to Leinster House. The series of building which make up the Gallery have been developed over the past 150 years.

The refurbishment project involves the repair of the Milltown Wing roof, significant upgrading of the Dargan Wing (1864) and the Milltown Wing (1903) and the Merrion Entrance whilst upgrading the buildings to current gallery standards. It will also see the introduction of an energy centre in the forecourt and enhanced fire and security control systems, as well the reopening of Victorian features and spaces within the buildings for the optimum presentation of its own collections.
The Project is co-funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Office of Public Works and the National Gallery of Ireland.