The Gallery celebrates two important anniversaries in 2024. To mark these, a special series of free tours and events will take place
On the 160th anniversary of the opening of the Gallery on 30 January 2024, three free tours of the Gallery (160th Anniversary Tour: New Acquisitions; 160th Anniversary Tour: Gallery Highlights and 160th Anniversary: Director’s Tour) will take place as well as two special free Library & Archives events (160th Anniversary Tour: From the Archives 1913 – 1924 and 160th Anniversary Pop-In Display: Opening Day 30 January 1864). The following day, on 31 January 2024, the Gallery will unveil the latest addition to the national collection: Titania Enchanting Bottom by beloved Irish artist Harry Clarke.
A special programme of free events is also planned for 10 August 2024, the 170th anniversary of the National Gallery of Ireland Act, which established the Gallery. This will focus on recent acquisitions to the collection and the architecture of the Gallery. Further details and programming will be announced closer to the date.
Welcoming the news, Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said “The National Gallery of Ireland’s visitor numbers in 2023 are a strong endorsement of Government investment in our National Cultural Institutions. I was delighted to officially unveil the Gallery’s acquisition of La Vie des Champs by Paul Cézanne in May 2023. As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I am proud to support the Gallery and I understand the positive impact that major acquisitions and exhibitions have on the Gallery and its visitor numbers. The National Gallery of Ireland belongs to the Irish public and I encourage everyone to see its latest acquisitions and exhibitions this spring.”
Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, added: “We are proud to celebrate another remarkable year for visitor engagement at the National Gallery of Ireland. Welcoming over one million visitors in a year requires a significant team effort to ensure a high-quality experience for all. I would like to thank all of our visitors, the Gallery team, our volunteers and Friends, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and our wide base of supporters for helping us to reach this milestone in 2023.”
The Gallery would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for its ongoing support.
Find out more about the Gallery’s 2024 plans and see the full programme at www.nationalgallery.ie.
