The Hugh Lane Gallery (officially The Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane) focuses on modern and contemporary art. While the collection includes works by contemporary Irish artists, the works in its collection date back to the 19th century. Highlights include works by the Impressionists Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morrisot, Camile Pissaro, and Edgar Degas as well as works by Manet and Corot.
The museum's name comes from its founder Sir Hugh Lane. Born in Ireland,Lane became a prominent figure in the art worlds of Dublin and London at the turn of the 20th century. He was a strong advocate for establishing a gallery of modern art in Dublin. Accordingly, he donated works from his own collection, including the Impressionist masterpieces, to the Dublin City Council (then called Dublin Corporation) as the nucleus for such a gallery. He also persuaded leading Irish artists of the day each to donate a work for this collection. The gallery opened in 1908 as the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art. Tragically, Lane was killed a few years later in the sinking of the Lusitania. Since 1933, the Hugh Lane has been housed in Claremont House in Dublin's Parnell Square. This townhouse was commissioned in 1763 by James Caufield, 4th Viscount Claremont and 1st Earl of Claremont, who was a connoisseur and the president of the Royal Irish Academy. The architect was William Chambers who designed the building according to classical principles. An addition was made to the building in 2006 but the main house remains largely intact and has much of the original classical detail. The Impressionist masterpieces are among the works kept on permanent exhibition. Also, in 1959, the Hugh Lane acquired the studio of the artist Francis Bacon. Not only the contents but the walls, floor and ceiling were moved from London to Dublin. It is now on permanent display at the Hugh Lane. There is also a dedicated gallery containing seven works by Sean Scully. The Stained Glass Room features Harry Clarke's “The Eve of St. Agnes.” In addition, the Hugh Lane has a program of temporary exhibitions usually featuring contemporary works. The Hugh Lane also has a cafe and a book shop. For information about visiting, see the Hugh Lane Gallery wesbite. For more places to see art in Dublin
Click here for our profile of the National Gallery of Ireland Click here for our profile of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) Click here for our profile of the Douglas Hyde Gallery For more on travel to Ireland, see our Ireland home page
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Above: The Hugh Lane Gallery is in the 18th century Claremont House.
Below: Jour d’Été by Berthe Morrisot, one of the Impressionist masterpieces at the Hugh Lane Gallery. 
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Places to see art - - Dublin, Ireland - - Hugh Lane Gallery