Dublin City Gallery

Behind the blue doors of a grand 18th century mansion in Dublin’s Parnell Square is Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, an art gallery with the most prominent public collection of contemporary art in Ireland. Established in 1908 by art collector Sir Hugh Lane, the gallery is the first known public gallery of modern art in the world.

After holding the first exhibition of Irish Art in London in 1904, Lane turned his curatorial efforts towards his home country of Ireland. He began filling the Gallery with an exceptional collection of modern art, including the first collection of impressionist paintings in UK and Ireland. Within four years, he presented the collection to the Dublin Corporation and officially founded the Gallery.

Since its founding, the Gallery has built an exceptional permanent collection of modern and contemporary art with a focus on Irish art. In 1998, the Gallery acquired Irish painter Francis Bacon’s studio and archives. After relocating Bacon’s entire studio from London to Dublin, the Gallery reconstructed it within its own walls.

Along with Irish art, the Gallery is renowned for its collection of French art. The collection was so sought after in fact, that one of its paintings, In The Omnibus by French painter Honor Daumier, was stolen from the Gallery in 1992 but was fortunately recovered in 2014.

Considered a cultural centerpiece of Ireland, the Gallery continues to serve as a leading center of modern art providing programs and world renowned exhibits in the city of Dublin.