Early Spring Events 2023

IAAH visit to National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) and Russborough House, Thursday, 23 March

A very special day out has been planned for members of the IAAH, visiting both Russborough House and the National Gallery –  landmark art institutions linked by two generous philanthropic donations.

In 1906, Geraldine Leeson, Countess of Milltown, bequeathed the entire contents of Russborough to the National Gallery – this is now the most intact Country House Collection remaining in Ireland, much is on display in the NGI with other key pieces returned to Russborough on long term loan.

In 1996, Sir Alfred and Lady Beit donated seventeen Old Master paintings from their collection to the National Gallery of Ireland. These include works by Vermeer, Metsu, Franz Hals and Hobbema. The remainder of their paintings collection remains in Russborough along with an exquisite array of furniture, porcelain, silver and clocks.

Our day begins in the National Gallery (Merrion Square entrance) where the group will be met by Adrian le Harivel, Curator of British Art. He will take us on a whistle stop tour of the Dargan Wing where highlights from both collections are located.

The group will then travel by coach to Russborough House for lunch and a special Curator’s Tour of the house by Pauline Swords, Head of Collections and Curatorial. She has instigated a new decorative scheme for the Drawing Room informed by photographic evidence from 1860. The IAAH visitors will be among the first visitors to inspect this work.

Those of you who visited in recent years will be familiar with the changes to the visitor areas – there is a lovely new café where we will enjoy lunch and there should be time for a quick visit to the Exhibition Area and shop in the basement of the main house. The return bus will leave at 3.30pm arriving back to the NGI Merrion Square at 4.30pm (approx.)

10am meet in the National Gallery Merrion Square entrance for tour of the Beit and Milltown highlights with Adrian le Harivel.

11am bus leaves outside the NGI for Russborough.

12pm Arrive Russborough for lunch (not included in cost)

1.15pm Guided tour by Pauline Swords

2.30pm Basement exhibition, walk or shopping

3.30pm Return bus to Dublin

4.30pm Arrive NGI Merrion Square

Cost €35 – not including lunch.

Please note, numbers are limited for this outing. Book by clicking here with Eventbrite by Thursday,16 March.

Any queries to iaahevents@gmail.com.