Vol. 407 No. 2
46 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Finance the alterations which have been made in recent times to the fabric of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, by way of demolition or additions; the alterations, if any, which are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Royal Hospital Kilmainham Company through the agency of the Office of Public Works are establishing an Irish Gallery of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital. As a consequence of this, some works to the building are being carried out. These consist of: a new entrance lobby in the centre of the south wing; provision of a new staircase in this lobby giving access to the first floor; glazed doors are being provided to five central bays of the arcade giving access to the courtyard from the entrance lobby; the existing doors to the individual rooms on the first floors are being closed. The internal windows on the corridors are being replaced with new central doors serving each pair of rooms to facilitate circulation and to increase the wall space for picture hanging; the electrical and mechanical installations are being upgraded to art gallery standards. Some humidity control is being provided also; the three wings — east, south and west — which form the area of the gallery are being redecorated consequential on the building works; the north wing which contains the great hall, chapel and master's quarters is not being touched nor is the second floor; rooms on the ground floor are being refurbished in keeping with the rooms elsewhere in the gallery; and a compacted gravel surface is being provided in the courtyard. Consideration is being given to the provision of glazed gates at the east and west entrances.
The works will be completed early in May.
