Cork's Crawford loans out 14 paintings to Hillsborough Castle 

CORK’S Crawford Art Gallery has loaned 14 paintings to Northern Ireland’s Hillsborough Castle in what is the largest-ever loan from a National Cultural Institution in Ireland.

The paintings, most of which have connections to Northern Ireland, are all 20th-century works frequently featuring Irish landscapes.

They include Landscapes by husband-and-wife painters Paul and Grace Henry, Moonlight Ballyholme by Belfast-born Colin Middleton and The Locks at Edenderry by Belfast artist John Luke.

Set to be displayed in the State Drawing Room of Hillsborough Castle, known for its impressive collection of Irish art, a total of 33 new works of art will be viewable via public tours that focus on art across the country until January 2027.

Later in April, the gallery will add two further pieces, Off the Donegal Coast by Jack B. Yeats and The Dressmaker by Margaret Clarke.

Crawford Art Gallery Director Mary McCarthy said the gallery is delighted to contribute to this cross-border initiative and is proud to be able to loan these significant works to Hillsborough Castle.

“Northern Irish artists have made a major impact on the history and furtherance of Irish art, as evidenced by the large number of works of immense beauty and interest by Northern Irish artists in Crawford Art Gallery’s collection.” 

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin said the sharing of art between institutions and historic venues across the island of Ireland "assists in bringing important works to new audiences, and contributes to a shared understanding of the island, as seen through the eyes of each artist.” 

Castle and Collections Manager at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, David Orr added: “We are hugely proud of this new collection, and excited to work with a significant range of lenders, including our largest ever from the Republic of Ireland, from Crawford Art Gallery in Cork.” 

Additional lenders of the collection include NI Civil Service, Down County Museum, Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, Co-Operation Ireland, Northern Ireland Office and King Charles III of the UK.