It will remain open until the autumn of 2024.

After that, Cork’s Crawford Gallery will close for a major expansion and modernisation project, the planning permission for which has now been granted by Cork City Council.

The redevelopment will also address long-standing challenges with the fabric of the historic building, providing fit-for-purpose storage spaces for the National Collection, and will significantly enhance sustainability.

Here are a few key parts of the plan:

• The project will create a new entrance at the historic Custom House building onto Emmet Place, “opening the Crawford onto a new urban plaza at the heart of the cultural life of the city”.
• Inside the gallery, the design will provide significant new exhibition and public spaces as well as fit-for-purpose storage spaces for the invaluable National Collection.
• A new Learn and Explore facility will be created to engage new audiences.
• A new public gallery will offer panoramic views of the city, with 165 sqm of new courtyard space set to be created outside.

‘A beloved institution reimagined’

The redevelopment of Crawford Art Gallery is a flagship project in Minister Catherine Martin’s programme of investments under the National Development Plan, which will see many of the much-loved National Cultural Institutions restored, renewed, and future-proofed for generations to come.

“Today’s announcement is wonderful news for the Crawford Gallery, for the people of Cork, and for art lovers across Ireland,” said Minister Martin.

“With this design Grafton Architects, in collaboration with gallery staff and a dedicated design team, have re-imagined this beloved institution, designing a revitalised gallery which is sympathetic to the building’s historic structure while also delivering much-needed additional exhibition and learning spaces.

“The Crawford is just one of the National Cultural Institutions earmarked to receive funding for redevelopment under the National Development Plan. Today’s grant of planning permission is an important milestone in the programme and it sets the bar high for the projects to come.”