Press Release - March 2007
Treasures from the North
Irish Paintings from the Ulster Museum

-an exceptional exhibition of 60 masterpieces of Irish art from this unique collection, on view in the National Gallery, from March 14th 2007-
Admission free.

Treasures from the North is a stunning selection of 60 paintings from the Ulster Museum in Belfast, focusing upon the best of their Irish collection. From pure dramatic landscape to the vibrancy of urban life; from society portraits to the impact of modernism, these paintings touch on endearing themes, some of them universal and some more particular to Ireland.

The opportunity for this exceptional exhibition came about as a result of the Ulster Museum's closure for major refurbishment work, presenting a rare opportunity for the National Gallery to display their masterpieces of Irish art.

Raymond Keaveney, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, says that taken alongside the National Gallery's own extensive collection of Irish art, this exercise in inter-museum co-operation provides an opportunity for lovers of Irish to view within the same building possibly the finest collection of Irish painting ever assembled.

"The National Gallery and the Ulster Museum have always had a close and fruitful relationship. This particular initiative represents a special co-operative venture between two distinguished institutions who share a common goal of promoting Irish Heritage", he added.

Treasures from the North includes paintings by major figures of the 18th and 19th centuries, most notably George Barret, Nathaniel Hone and William Ashford. Distinguished 20th century artists include Sir John Lavery, Paul Henry, Jack B. Yeats, Louis le Brocquy, William Scott, and Gerard Dillon.

Among the highlights are Lavery's Under the Cherry Tree (1884), a magnificent early work showing the influence (upon the artist) of French 'plein-air' painting and the Barbizon school; Paul Henry's Dawn, Killary Harbour (c.1921), which is unquestionably one of the finest landscapes produced by an Irish artist in the 20th century and a hauntingly evocative riverside scene in Sligo, The Riverside (1922), by Jack Yeats, dating from his middle period. Also featured are works by more modern artists: William Conor, John Luke, Charles Lamb, Frank McKelvey, Basil Blackshaw, Dermod O'Brien and TP Flanagan.

Tim Cooke, Chief Executive of National Museums Northern Ireland, says: "The Ulster Museum holds some of the finest Irish masterpieces and this exhibition provides an opportunity to show our collection to a wider audience. I think its quality and range will surprise many visitors and hopefully will inspire future interest in our collections and museums."

Treasures from the North was formally opened by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, in the Millennium Wing of the Gallery, on Monday 12th March.

The project is the result of the collaborative efforts of colleagues in both institutions. The paintings were selected by Dr. Eileen Black and Anne Stewart, Curators of Fine Art in the Ulster Museum, who also wrote the informative and handsome catalogue accompanying the show. They have drawn on the support of their colleagues at the National Gallery of Ireland, in particular, Fionnuala Croke, Head of Exhibitions.

Accompanying the exhibition is an audio guide with voice-over by Sorcha Cusack. There will also be an active education programme complementing the show comprising talks, and a 'Study Morning', on Saturday 21 April (10am-1pm), entitled 'A Fresh View of Irish Art', focusing on the collection of the Ulster Museum.

Treasures from the North opens to the public in the Millennium Wing for a six month period, from 14th March until 16th September 2007. Admission is free.

For further information & images, contact:

Valerie Keogh or Kathryn Kirk/ Joris Minne
Press &Communications Office JPR
National Gallery of Ireland
Tel. 028-9076 0066 (NI)
Tel. 01- 663 3598
Tel. 048-9076 0066 (ROI)
Email: press@ngi.ie
Email: Kathryn.kirk@jprni.com
or joris.minne@jprni.com

EXHIBITION INFORMATION:

Exhibition:
Treasures from the North: Irish Paintings from the Ulster Museum

Organisers:
National Gallery of Ireland and the Ulster Museum, Belfast

Dates:
14 March - 16 September 2007
(Gallery closed Good Friday, 6 April)

Venue:
Millennium Wing (exhibition galleries, level 2)

Admission: Free

Entrance:
via Millennium Wing, Clare Street, Dublin 2

Catalogue:
An accompanying illustrated catalogue written by Dr. Eileen Black and Anne Stewart, Curators of Fine Art with the Ulster Museum, is available from the Exhibition Desk or the National Gallery Shop (price €9.95 pb)

Audio Guide:
The exhibition is accompanied by an audio tour, produced by Acoustiguide Limited and narrated by Sorcha Cusack, available free from the Exhibition desk.

Tours and Activity Sheets:
School exhibition tours may be arranged by contacting the Tours Booking Office (tel. 01-663 3510). A full colour activity sheet for young people provides an introduction to the exhibition written by Fiona Loughnane, available free from the Exhibition and Information Desks.

Lecture Programme:
A series of talks around the Ulster Museum's collection will take place each Tuesday (10.30am) and Sunday (3pm), beginning 13th March until 15th April, in the Gallery Lecture Theatre, admission free. Full programme details are online, under Education and Calendar of Events.

Study Morning:
An associated 'Study Morning' on the theme: 'A Fresh View of Irish Art' will take place on Saturday 21 April from 10am-1pm, followed by mediated tours of the exhibition. Fee €25 includes study morning, coffee and tours. Tickets available from the Gallery Shop, telephone (01) 663 3518 or email bookshop@ngi.ie

Gallery Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; Thur 9.30am-8.30pm; Sun 12pm-5.30pm. Closed Good Friday (6 April 2007)
Tel. 01-661 5133