The National Gallery of Ireland is situated on Merrion Square in the heart of Georgian Dublin. Founded in 1854, the Gallery houses an extensive collection of some 13,000 works of art containing the most important and representative collection of Irish painting (17th - 20th century) with works by Thomas Roberts, James Barry, Nathaniel Hone, Roderic O’Conor, John Lavery, William Orpen, Jack B.Yeats and Louis le Brocquy. The European collection (14th - 20th century) includes masterpieces by the most celebrated figures in the history of Western art by Fra Angelico, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Poussin, Goya, Picasso, Bonnard and van Gogh.
There is also a National Portrait Collection which includes portraits of wellknown figures of contemporary Irish life. Visitor facilities include a Fine Art Reference Library, Centre for the Study of Irish Art, Yeats Archive, Multimedia Room, Lecture Theatre, Bookshop, Restaurant and Café. The Gallery organises a
varied public programme throughout the year of exhibitions, tours, lectures, courses, concerts
and family activities. Admission to the permanent collection is free.