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Irish Independent
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘It will be missed': surge of visitors as Hugh Lane Gallery prepares for three-year closure
Parnell Square to undergo extensive refurbishment with aim of reshaping it into a significant cultural quarter As one of the five Georgian squares in Dublin city centre, with two north and three south of the Liffey, Parnell Square has the air of a historical quarter that has not yet quite got the hang of gentrification. When I took a stroll that way on Thursday, amid the semi-derelict grandeur of some of its Georgian facades, there were overflowing litter bins, the whiff of weed in the air and a boombox playing at an impromptu afternoon rave. The area seems to have somehow blocked out all memory of the Celtic Tiger vision of a shiny new quarter in the inner city. The north side of the square has been dominated by Charlemont House since it was built in 1763. That grand building houses the Hugh Lane Gallery, and last week Dublin City Council announced it is to close next month for at least three years for renovations as part of a plan to revitalise Parnell Square North that includes the construction of a new city library. We thought we might never see it again, that's why we made the journey today While work is being carried out, one of the few remaining vestiges of culture on the northside is shutting down. Inside the gallery, what looked like a large portrait of Hugh Lane himself lay on its side as some of the rooms were already being emptied before it closes on September 28. Like a lot of things Irish, once something is about to close, everybody suddenly develops an interest in what they have often ignored. 'We haven't been here for years, but we thought we might never see it again, and that's why we made the journey today,' one cultured couple said at the imposing entrance on Thursday. They were not alone. The gallery, often a quiet refuge from city life, was bustling, with tour buses pulling up at the front door and groups visiting the rooms that remain open to the public for a few more weeks: a selection of the Hugh Lane collection, work by Francis Bacon, an exhibition by Ailbhe Ní Bhriain and the Harry Clarke-stained glass room. 'It's a big attraction for tourists,' the driver of one bright-green Do Dublin bus said. 'Most of them can't believe it's free, but I tell them that it's my taxes that are paying for it, so go in and have a look. It will be missed for the next few years.' With the Rotunda Hospital complex and the Garden of Remembrance in the middle, Parnell Square has a different aspect to the city's other Georgian squares. The square has become home to two of the capital's most celebrated restaurants Once known as Rutland Square, for much of the last century it was a warren of Georgian houses populated by Dublin City Council offices, trade union organisations, Miss Anna Egan's private hotel, a 'residence for Catholic girls' and the Ierne Ballroom, famed for its Thursday night nurses' dances. In more recent years, the square has become home to two of the capital's most celebrated restaurants, Chapter One and Mr Fox. The restaurant manager at Mr Fox, Ceri-Ann Faulkner, said the closure of the gallery 'will probably have an impact on footfall. But in the eight years I've been here, things have improved greatly, and when the renovations are complete and the new library opens it will enhance Parnell Square as a visitor attraction'. When I visited, Anthony Calvin was watching the world go by from his perch at the corner of the square. 'There is always something happening here,' he said. He lives in the nearby Granby centre, and is recovering from a broken hip. Sitting on his walker, he points tourists in the direction of the Garden of Remembrance. 'The gallery will be missed,' he said. He understands that some people are wary about venturing up to Parnell Square because of the perception that it is not a safe part of the city, but he thinks it has improved a lot. For the next few years, the gallery's paintings will be put in storage, and the 1930s wing of the building 'upgraded to 21st-century museum standards'. The new library will be housed in the old Choláiste Mhuire building next door, with a direct link to the gallery. It is also intended to have a plaza in front of Charlemont House. 'The refurbishment is part of a big investment in Parnell Square North that will reshape it into a significant cultural quarter and enrich the experience of Dublin's citizens and visitors to the city,' Dublin City Council said. In the meantime, I hope Parnell Square will retain some of what the poet Louis MacNeice admired as 'the seedy elegance' of the Georgian city.
Irish Independent
30-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Dublin's Hugh Lane Gallery to close for ‘at least 3 years'
It was announced today that the art gallery is set to close its doors for a planned refurbishment, alongside the construction of a new city library for Dublin. Hugh Lane Gallery was founded in 1908 by Sir Hugh Lane and his supporters, who donated a collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century European art to Dublin. It is the oldest extant 20th-century public modern art gallery. A council spokesperson said the gallery would close its doors to the public on September 28 to 'facilitate renovation and safe removal of the gallery's collection'. 'It is expected to remain closed for at least 3 years,' they added. The planned refurbishment is a part of a major investment in Parnell Square North, which will transform the square into a 'significant cultural quarter' set to enrich the experience of Dubliners and its visitors. 'The refurbishment will upgrade the original 1930s wing to 21st-century museum standards of security and environmental controls,' a statement from Dublin City Council said. 'It will ensure the preservation of the collection for future generations and will enhance our ability to secure significant international loans for major temporary exhibitions. 'The refurbishment will also include a direct link between the gallery and the new Dublin City library, creating a unique cultural experience across art and literature. 'The Hugh Lane Gallery conservation team is working hard to safely pack and transport the gallery's renowned collection to museum-standard storage facilities. 'This ensures the public's collection is being cared for to the highest standards and will be ready for display when the gallery reopens. 'Francis Bacon's Studio will be fully protected throughout the temporary closure period and will remain on-site,' the statement added.
The Journal
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Dublin's Hugh Lane Gallery to close its doors for refurbishment for 'at least' three years
THE HUGH LANE Gallery is to close its doors for the next few years from September as it undergoes refurbishment. Dublin City Council announced today that the planned refurbishment would see the gallery's doors close to the public on 28 September. It is expected to remain closed for at least three years to facilitate the renovation and safe removal of the gallery's collection. The refurbishment will proceed alongside the construction of a new city library for Dublin. In a statement, the city council said that the refurbishment is 'part of a major investment in Parnell Square North which will reshape the square into a significant cultural quarter and enrich the experience of Dublin's citizens and visitors to the city.' Advertisement It added that it will upgrade the original 1930s wing to 21st century museum standards of security and environmental controls. Previously named Municipal Gallery of Modern Art , the gallery is on Parnell Square on the north side of the city centre. It was founded by Sir Hugh Lane in 1908 as part of the Celtic Revival Movement in Ireland at the turn of the 20th century. The building itself was built between the years 1763 to around 1775 by a James Caulfield, the First Earl of Charlemont, and was named Charlemont House. In 1929, the building was chosen to be the permanent home for the gallery, and was officially opened there in 1933. Today, the city council said that the refurbishment will include a 'direct link' between the gallery and the new Dublin City library – 'creating a unique cultural experience across art and literature'. Francis Bacon's Studio, which is at the gallery, will be fully protected throughout the temporary closure period and will remain onsite. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Iconic Dublin spot set to close its doors for ‘at least three years' as major renovation project gets underway
AN iconic spot in the capital is set to close its doors for "at least three years" as a major renovation project gets underway. The Hugh Lane Gallery in 1 The Hugh Lane gallery is set to close for at least three years Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd The Hugh Lane Gallery was founded in 1908 by Sir Hugh Lane and is one of the world's oldest public galleries of modern and contemporary Located in Charlemont House on Parnell Square North, this iconic spot holds a renowned collection featuring works by Monet, Renoir, Manet along with the preserved studio of painter Francis Bacon. And Dublin City Council confirmed the gallery is expected to remain closed for at least three years. The refurbishment will take place alongside the READ MORE IN MONEY In a statement, the council said: 'Dublin City Council is pleased to announce that the planned refurbishment of the Hugh Lane Gallery will proceed alongside the construction of a new city library for Dublin. 'The gallery will close its doors to the public on 28th September 2025 to facilitate the renovation and the safe removal of the gallery's collection. 'It is expected to remain closed for at least 3 years.' The project will upgrade the gallery's original 1930s wing to meet modern MOST READ IN MONEY It aims to protect the collection for future generations and improve the gallery's ability to host major international exhibitions. A new internal link between the gallery and the planned library will also be added to create a shared cultural space "combining art and literature." Celebrity chef closes down seaside restaurant after 16 years The gallery's conservation team is currently preparing the A permanent fixture at the gallery, Francis Bacon's Studio will remain on-site and fully protected throughout the closure period. The refurbishment is part of a wider investment in developing Parnell Square into a key cultural destination in Dublin. Dublin City council added: 'The Hugh Lane Gallery conservation team is working hard to safely pack and transport the gallery's renowned collection to museum standard storage facilities. 'This ensures the public's collection is being cared for to the highest standards and will be ready for display when the gallery reopens.' It comes days after a popular restaurant in the capital has announced Karen's Gone Wild on They wrote on Instagram: "After a wild ride, we've decided it's time to shut our doors. "Karen's will officially close after Sunday, August 3rd - so if you've ever wanted to experience the madness (or come back for round two), now's your last chance. "Like many independent spots, we've felt the pressure - VAT at 13.5%, rising costs, tight margins, and so much more. "A huge thank you to everyone who supported us, shouted at us, laughed with us, and made this place what it was. "It's been unreal. Once again thank you for being part of it - we hope to see you one last time before we turn off the lights."
