In what is the largest ever loan from a national cultural institution in Ireland the Crawford Gallery in Cork has loaned 14 artworks to Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. They are part of a collection of 33 new works of Irish art on display at the State Drawing Room at Hillsborough Castle until January 2027. Crawford paintings include landscapes by painters Paul and Grace Henry, Moonlight Ballyholme by Belfast-born Colin Middleton and The Locks at Edenderry by Belfast artist John Luke.
David Orr, Castle and Collections Manager at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens said: “The Drawing Room at Hillsborough Castle is a haven of Irish art, a celebration of our magnificent land and seascapes right through to incredible royal portraits by Irish artists. 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 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. Historic Royal Palaces is also delighted to announce the acquisition of a Thomas Lawrence portrait of Lord Marcus Hill and 51 miniature portraits of the Hill and Sandys families – known as the Ombersley Miniatures – generously gifted by the Sandys Trust.
