This tour can be tailor-made to take in either the National Gallery of Ireland’s Highlights or the Hugh Lane Gallery’s highlights or both galleries.
National Gallery of Ireland’s Highlights
The National Gallery on Merrion Square holds the Irish national collection of art. This tour takes you through the highlights of the national collection housed in the recently refurbished gallery that was originally founded in 1854, making it one of Europe’s earliest public art galleries. The tour reveals the fascinating stories behind historical paintings depicting monumental moments in Irish history as well as the story of how, what is perhaps the jewel in the Gallery’s crown, The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio was hidden in plain sight for hundreds of years. Other stories include how paintings stolen not once but twice have now finally, found a safe haven in the National Gallery. There is a stunning room dedicated to the very distinctive work of Jack B. Yeats. Ireland’s favourite painting which is on view for only three hours a week, is the perfect reason for a return visit, should it not be on view during our tour. This tour promises to be full of interesting, little known stories for all the family and will give you the opportunity to experience this space and its priceless contents, which have belonged to the people of Ireland for more than 157 years. I have no doubt you will find the National Gallery is all the more relevant and relatable today than ever it was.
Meeting Point: National Gallery of Ireland main entrance Merrion Square. Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before your Tour start time. Get directions here.
Duration of Tour: 2.5 hours (approximately)
Accessibility: The National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) is located on Merrion Square and has four disabled parking spaces in front of the main entrance gates. The NGI is fully committed to providing a fully accessible experience for all visitors – NGI accessibility statement.
Hugh Lane Gallery’s Highlights
On this tour you will learn the story of the brief but extraordinary life of Mr Hugh Lane, a legendary Edwardian art dealer and philanthropist and his vision to build this very personal collection of art and an art gallery for Dublin. Hugh Lane died tragically on board the torpedoed ship, the “Lusitania” in 1915, en route to New York but his legacy lives on in what is now Dublin City’s Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square. The tour will take you through the Gallery to see the highlights which include Lane’s magnificent collection of Impressionist paintings as well as a fine collection of the stained glass artist Harry Clarke’s work and Francis Bacon’s studio. There is a lovely restaurant/ coffee shop in the basement of the gallery which is the ideal place to stay on afterwards with your group and enjoy the bookshop there too.
Meeting Point: Hugh Lane Gallery main entrance in Parnell Square. Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before your Tour start time. Get directions here.
Duration of Tour: 2.5 hours (approximately)
Accessibility: The Hugh Lane is fully wheelchair accessible with disabled parking places outside the main entrance. Hugh Lane access and facilities information.
