Hugh Lane Gallery
The Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin is a historic art museum that showcases modern and contemporary Irish and international art, including masterpieces by Manet, Monet, and Francis Bacon, within the elegant Georgian setting of Charlemont House.
The Hugh Lane Gallery, officially known as Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, is one of Ireland’s most significant art museums. The gallery is located in the heart of Dublin at Charlemont House on Parnell Square. Founded in 1908 by Sir Hugh Lane as the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, it was the world’s first public gallery of modern art and a cornerstone of the early 20th-century Celtic Revival movement in Ireland.
The gallery is home to a collection of modern and contemporary Irish and international art, including works by renowned artists such as Manet, Monet, Degas, Pissarro, and Morisot, as well as major Irish figures in portraiture like W. B. Yeats, Augusta Lady Gregory, Michael Collins, and Éamon de Valera. Visitors can also admire the stained-glass works by Harry Clarke, including The Eve of St. Agnes and Mr. Gilhooley.
A highlight of the collection is the faithfully reconstructed Francis Bacon Studio, transferred from 7 Reece Mews in London to Dublin in 1998. Preserved exactly as it was, it provides a fascinating insight into the life and working process of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. The gallery also features a dedicated Sean Scully room, showcasing the work of one of Ireland’s leading contemporary painters.
The Hugh Lane Gallery is housed in Charlemont House, an elegant Georgian mansion designed in 1763 by the celebrated architect Sir William Chambers for James Caulfeild, the 1st Earl of Charlemont. The historic building retains many of its original features, harmoniously blending 18th-century design with modern exhibition spaces. It is fully wheelchair accessible and includes a bookshop, café, and designated disability parking directly outside.
Operated by Dublin City Council through the Hugh Lane Gallery Trust, the museum regularly presents new exhibitions, public tours, and educational programs for families, students, and community groups. It continues to play a central role in Dublin’s cultural life by fostering engagement with art, supporting contemporary artists, and preserving Ireland’s artistic heritage.
With its dynamic exhibitions and extensive collection, the Hugh Lane Gallery is a vibrant space for creativity, reflection, and dialogue. The gallery invites visitors to explore Ireland’s artistic legacy and also its connections to the wider international art world.