asked the Minister for Finance whether, in connection with the proposed extension to the National Gallery at a cost of £315,000 he will give details of the work to be done.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Gallery Extension.
5.
The pressure on the space available in the National Gallery has been growing over the years and the stage has now been reached at which only two-thirds of the Gallery's collection can be put on view. The need for additional permanent exhibition space continues to grow; there is also a need for space for special temporary exhibitions, for a small lecture theatre, and for an art library, etc. In the circumstances and in view of the importance of the Gallery as a national asset and an international attraction it is considered that the provision of additional accommodation should not be deferred any longer.
The extension proposed will consist of a four-storey building linked to the northern side of the existing Gallery. It will provide an increase of about 50 per cent in the hanging space for pictures and will also contain a small lecture theatre, an art library, room for temporary exhibitions and some storage space, etc.
The new extension will be a four-storey reinforced concrete building in the gardens of Nos. 88 and 89, Merrion Square, Dublin, extending from the Merrion Square facade of the existing Gallery to and beyond Clare Lane at the rere. The Merrion Square facade of the existing Gallery will be extended in a north-east direction; the classical detailing of the stonework will be repeated to render this facade symmetrical around the main entrance.
The accommodation will provide approximately 43,000 sq. ft. of additional floor space for the Gallery. This has been designed to provide a lecture theatre and additional storage accommodation situated at garden level. The upper floors provide for a small amount of new office space and for a number of different galleries all interconnected and joined to the existing Gallery at the main floor levels. On the ground floor a resting or relaxing area will be provided between the new and the existing galleries to break the effect of the continuous circulation.
The main galleries on the top floor will have a system of preferential natural daylighting, i.e., roof lights specially designed to throw the correct amount of light onto the picture plane at the correct eye level. The remaining galleries will have artificial lighting only, designed in accordance with the best modern practice.
The estimated cost of the project is £315,000. Documents for tendering purposes are in the course of preparation.