Arty Friends

*Details from gilded ceiling in Number 5 South Leinster Street, Friends of The National Gallery.*

There is a townhouse on South Leinster Street (that’s the street that flows from Nassau to Merrion Square to you and me) which I have often passed by and enviously looked in the windows of. It is an eighteenth century house which has been beautifully woven into the modern wing of The National Gallery and is accessible only to Friends of the National Gallery. At this time of year it looks like a warm and welcoming home and I have often wondered what lucky devils get to sit in its softly lit Georgian drawing room, sip tea and watch the world go by. A couple of weeks ago I had the luck to do just this and find out all about the Friends of the National Gallery from the Director of Friends of The National Gallery Maureen Beary Ryan and Laura Buckley.

*Details from Number 5 South Leinster Street, detail of the staircase, the gilded ceiling of the entrance hall. Christmas flowers on the mantlepiece, painting hanging in the drawing room.*

So, what is Friends of the National Gallery and how can you be sitting in their splendid rooms? Well, Friends is a self–funding cultural organisation who promote the Gallery and its collections and create programme of events to inspire and engage those interested in the arts. You can become a member of Friends by signing up to their membership packages. Once signed up you’ll be invited to host of amazing art events from previews of exhibitions showing at The National Gallery, a programme of art walks and tours sent to you quarterly, day outings, wine receptions and the use of the drawing room in Number 5 for you and guests – where you can sit and read their selection of art books.

*Art books on display in The Friends of the National Gallery, drawing room.*

The Faces of Friends, clockwise from left: Images I took of paintings and the architectural features in Friends. Arthur Wolfe first occupant of Number 5, the face of Zeus in a gilded mirror originally from Russborough House, a face carved into a wooden fireplace, happy faces make merry in a painting hanging in the dining room.

The Wolfe of South Leinster Street

On my visit to Number 5, South Leinster Street I discovered some interesting facts:

It was was built in 1757 and was almost demolished only to be restored to its former glory when incorporated into the Millennium Wing of the National Gallery in 2005.
The house’s first recorded owner was barrister Arthur Wolfe who lived from 1780-1803. His portrait still hangs in the drawing room, take a look at him above, he has almost a quizzical look, non?
Its second owner was a revolutionary, from 1818-26 Archibald Hamilton Rowan lived in the house and was famous for being the leader of the United Irishmen.
In 1874-83 interior decorators, Thomas Panter & Son, used the building as their showroom. Their presence is still felt with their “showpieces” dotted around the building from the gilded and painted ceiling in the entrance, plaster wall panels with mythological face and Egyptian columns in the drawing room.

*Friends of the National Gallery, dining room complete with table from Russborough House.*

Want to give Friends for Christmas?

A membership to Friends is a lovely gift to give someone who loves the arts, its a gift that’s not just for Christmas as membership is for a year.

The Lost Fashion History of Merrion Square in association with Friends of The National Gallery.

In the New Year I will be doing another tour of The Lost Fashion History of Merrion Square for Friends beginning in their beautiful drawing room. This event is open to non-members. For more details on this tour please contact Friends on friends@ngi.ie

Be sure to follow Friends on Facebook here and on Twitter here.

And go on become a Friend, or give it as a gift, I know you want to lounge in their beautiful rooms as much as I do!

Merry & Bright

Rua Ruth Christmas loves…