Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland

Friends of the
National Gallery of Ireland
Events Guide March - May 2016
Enclosed with the Friends ninety-third Events Guide you will find a
Booking Form for the forthcoming events and the current Gallery News.
Lectures
Like a volcano in the art world, 1900 saw the emergence of Icelandic
Art by its native Artists
Thursday 14 April 2016
Lecture by Hanne Gray, Danish Art Historian and specialist in Nordic Art
Iceland’s heritage was traditionally expressed through
its literature, in which the landscape and hardship of
survival inspired the great Icelandic Sagas from the
12th century. From 1900 onwards, Icelandic artists also
found their ‘national voice’ in the visual arts, with their
first exhibition in Reykjavík, showing Iceland’s
breathtaking nature with an inspired vitality. The
idealized pictures fuelled the fight for Independence
(1944), following six centuries of Danish rule. This
Thingvellir, by Thórarinn
Thorláksson, 1900, NG Iceland
illustrated talk will follow the pioneering painters and
sculptors, whose early ‘Nordic Sublime’ style inspired
the next generations of artists through different forms of Modern, Abstract and
Conceptual art, to return to the dreamlike, mysterious paintings by the end of the
20th century.
Lecture in No.5 South Leinster St. at 6.30pm followed by a wine reception
Continuing our series of talks offering Friends an opportunity to meet with
Ambassadors to Ireland who will discuss the culture and art of their respective
countries:
Sociology of Spanish painting: Velázquez, El Greco, Goya, Picasso, Miró
Sunday 15 May 2016
Lecture by H.E. José María Rodríguez-Coso
Spain has produced many famous and influential artists,
including Velázquez, Goya and Picasso. Although
influenced by Italy and France during the 17th and 18th
centuries, Spanish art has its own very distinctive
character, partly explained by the Moorish heritage, and
through the political and cultural climate in Spain during
the Counter-Reformation and the subsequent eclipse of
Spanish power under the Bourbon dynasty. H.E. José
María Rodríguez-Coso will explore the interaction
Guernica, by Pablo Picasso,
Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain
between the art produced by Spain’s distinguished
artists and the social and political conditions that
prevailed at the time.
Lecture in No. 5 South Leinster St. at 11.30am followed by a wine reception
Lecture
An Art Lover’s Guide to the French Riviera
Thursday 26 May 2016
Lecture by Patrick J. Murphy, Art Connoisseur
The French Riviera is rich in 20th Century art,
ranging from a new Cocteau museum at Menton,
near the Italian border, to an exceptional collection
of Fauve works at Saint-Tropez by Braque, Derain,
Matisse, Bonnard and others. In between, many
more are encountered at Monaco, Villefranche, Nice,
Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Cannes, Le Cannet,
Vallauris and Grasse, with works by Picasso, Matisse,
L'orage, by Paul Signac, 1895, Musée
Chagall, Léger and Renoir, to name but a few.
de l'Annonciade, Saint-Tropez
Patrick J. Murphy will take the Friends on a personal
journey to museums and galleries which feature in his detailed and well illustrated
Art Lover’s Guide to the French Riviera (May 2016).
Lecture in No.5 South Leinster St. at 6.30pm followed by a wine reception
Date for your Diary!
Autumn Trip in September 2016
Art Treasures of the French Riviera…
Friends will journey from St Tropez to Cannes, and Antibes, to Nice (our base)
and eastwards to the border of Italy, to Menton, exploring the extraordinary
delights along the way.
Full details and booking form in June Events Guide
Morning Outings
Hang Them: Royals, Gods and Revolutionaries. Arranging artworks in
Dublin Castle
Tuesday 26 April 2016
Discover the nooks and crannies of Dublin Castle while
getting an insider’s view on the eclectic collection of art
works which adorn these historic walls. A behind the scenes
tour will take us through recent conservation projects as
well as curatorial decisions which aim to engage with the
past and present of the Castle and its collections (coffee
included).
Meet at State Apartments, Dublin Castle 10.30am. Concludes approx. 1pm.
The Monto Walking Tour
Sunday 8 May 2016
Join local historian, Terry Fagan, North Inner City
Folklore Project on a ramble around Dublin’s Monto, an
area stretching from Foley St. to Sean McDermott St. which
was famous as a red light district. We will hear stories of
locals who lived in the tenements, notorious Madams, the
man with the hidden secret dubbed ‘Dublin’s Oskar
Schindler’, the venerable Matt Talbot whose shrine we shall
visit and events linked to the 1913 Lockout and the
Faithful Place 1913, from the
struggle for Irish Independence as we walk these streets
Darkest Dublin Collection (RSAI)
which are steeped in history.
Meet at Connolly Station, 11am. Concludes approx. 12.30pm.
1916 Rebellion Walking Tour
Sunday 22 May 2016
Follow this fascinating guided walking tour which will
take you through some of the crucial 1916 sites such as
Trinity College, O’Connell Street and the iconic GPO
and Moore Street, the final headquarters of the 1916
Leaders before they surrendered. Feel the history course
through you as you stand before the last meeting place
of five of the signatories to the Proclamation. Trace the
footsteps of those that changed Ireland forever.
Meet at Front Gate, Trinity College, 11am.
Concludes approx. 12.30pm.
Day Outing
Meath’s Rich Heritage
Saturday 7 May 2016
Ballinlough Castle, Clonmellon, built by the Catholic
O’Reilly family, who changed their name to Nugent in 1812 to
maintain their inheritance, is today home of Sir Nicholas and Lady
Alice Nugent, who will offer coffee and a tour of the castle and
gardens. At Kells Monastic Site (right), where St Colmcille
founded a monastery c.550, stands a 9th century Round Tower,
High Crosses and St. Colmcille’s House - to where the Book of
Kells was transferred from Iona. A facsimile is on view in nearby
St Columba’s Church. In front of the Courthouse, designed by Francis Johnston in
1801, stands the Scriptural Market High Cross. Lunch is at Headfort Arms Hotel,
Kells, followed by a talk on the local literary Hay Festival. At Donaghpatrick Church
nearby, St Patrick performed his first formal baptism. James Tallon, master miller and
owner, will give a tour of Martry Mill, in operation since 1353 on the banks of the
Blackwater River, supplying wholemeal flour to local and Dublin shops.
Coach departs National Gallery, Merrion Square 9.30am. Return approx. 6pm
Music Recitals to accompany the Leonardo Exhibition
Journey back to the Renaissance era with performances by
distinguished musicians from Italy who capture the mood of
Leonardo’s time with their own unique arrangements.
Recital by Anemos, Woodwind Quintet
Thursday 12 May 6.30pm, Wintergarden, National Gallery
Recital by Simone Vallerotonda, Lute
Thursday 19 May 2016, 6.30pm, No. 5 South Leinster St
Wine reception at 7.45pm will follow both recitals
Recitals are supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Dublin
Summer Trip: Uncovering Mayo
Sunday 12 June - Thursday 16 June 2016
Over five days Friends will explore the unique landscape of Co Mayo. The
following Itinerary which may be subject to change.
Ballina, lunch, Jackie Clarke Collection, unique collection of Irish historical material
dating back to 1665, by noted Ballina businessman. Visit Titanic Village of
Lahardaune, from where 11 of the 14 inhabitants who set sail perished in the Titanic
disaster. Dinner at our hotel.
Preserved beneath unspoilt blanket bogs of North Mayo, lies the Ceide Fields, the
Stone Age landscape of walled fields, houses and megalithic tombs, dating to 5,000
years ago, disco vered in the 1930s. At Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle, view
works created there by Irish and International artists and meet them in their studios;
drive along Mayo’s dramatic wild and wonderful Atlantic Way via Downpatrick Head,
hear history of Admiral Humbert and French landing at Killala Bay. Tour of gardens and
Dinner at Enniscoe House, Castlehill, family home for 12 generations of Susan Kellet
and her son DJ.
Ballintubber Abbey, founded by Cathal O’Connor King of Connaught in 1216, is still
in use today. Visit picturesque village of Cong and Cong Abbey, built in 1120 and still
retains its superb Romanesque and Gothic features; enjoy ‘on-set’ experience at the
Quiet Man Museum; Lunch at beautifully restored Ashford Castle, which dates back to
1220, rebuilt in 1870 by Lord Ardilaun, Guinness family, is now a luxury 5* hotel; boat
trip on Lough Corrib to Inchagoill Island, and the 12th century monastic ruins of the
Church of the Saints.
Irish history (1850-1950) truly comes to life at the National Museum of Ireland Country Life, Turlough Park; Westport House, designed by Richard Cassels and
James Wyatt in the 18th century for the Brown Family who are still in residence; Harry
Clarke windows at Newport; Achill Island, breathtaking Atlantic Drive; Dinner at
Belleek Castle, Ballina, former home of Knox-Gore family.
At Foxford Woollen Mills, founded by the Irish Sisters of Charity in 1892,
history and tour of the working mill.
Hotel Accommodation: Mount Falcon Estate, 4* Deluxe award winning country
house hotel set in 100 acres of mature woodland, 3 miles north of Foxford, with
swimming pool and leisure centre.
Price does not include outward journey by train at 8am from Heuston, Dublin
arriving in Ballina and return from Ballina at 6.05pm, as some members may
avail of free travel.
See booking form for further information
Private Preview
Leonardo da Vinci: Ten Drawings
from the Royal Collection
Private Preview for Friends
Tuesday 3 May 2016, 12 - 1pm
(please bring up-to-date membership card)
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519):
A study for the head of St Anne c.1510-15
Black chalk
Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II 2016
Notices
Free Weekly and Monthly Friends Talks
As well as our weekly Wednesday (12pm) and Friday (11am) Talks, we
now offer a free monthly Second Saturdays Talk. This starts
Saturday 12 March (2pm) and will take place on the second Saturday
of each month (excluding recess for Christmas/Summer/Easter).
Talks conclude for Easter on Wednesday 16 & Friday 18 March 2016
Talks recommence on Wednesday 13 & Friday 15 April 2016
Friends are advised that the weekly Talks programme may change at short notice due to the
current refurbishment works in the Gallery
Listings of Talks are available on:
http://www.nationalgallery.ie/supportus & Facebook & Twitter
Front Cover Images: Westport House; Enniscoe House, Castlehill, Ballina; Ashford
Castle, Cong; Céide Fields, Ballycastle; Artist Michael Canningin his studio at
Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle; Mount Falcon Estate Hotel, Ballina
(the original baronial lodge, designed by James Franklin Fuller was completed in
1876 as a home for Utred Knox and his new bride).
The Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland would like to
acknowledge and thank the following companies:
CORPORATE MEMBERS
CRH PLC
GLEN DIMPLEX
JULIUS BAER INTERNATIONAL LTD
THE IRISH TIMES
MANOR HOUSE HOTELS
The Friends reserve the right to cancel any event which is under-subscribed or rendered
impossible by circumstances beyond our control. In which case you will receive a full refund.
Refund Policy: We regret that refunds cannot be made when a place is cancelled less then
five working days before the event, for any event costing €20 or less or if we are unable to
resell your ticket to someone on a waiting list. Tickets which are refunded will be charged an
administration fee of 20% of the ticket price.
Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland
No.5 South Leinster Street, Dublin 2
01) 661 9877 - friends@ngi.ie http://www.nationalgallery.ie/supportus