Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the news that Minister Brian Hayes’s has confirmed that he will officially launch an exhibition of the National Collection of Art which is owned by the Office of Public Works and the collection which is owned by Northern Ireland Department of Finance at the Red Door Gallery in Newcastle West on December 6th.
The collection of art which normally is on display in Government Departments and State owned buildings, exhibits in towns on both sides of the border on an annual basis and is supported jointly by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Patrick O’Donovan had raised the possibility of the State Art Collection coming to Newcastle West with the Minister previously at meetings in Dublin and the Minister made the announcement of his decision for the exhibition to go on display in Newcastle West during a recent visit to the town, where he met with representatives of the Newcastle West Arts Committee at the Red Door Gallery.
It is hoped that the exhibition could form a very important part of the cultural and festival calendar of the region. He said “This is a major boost for the area, it will encourage people to visit the town during the exhibition and is an important endorsement by the Government of the work that the local arts committee do in the area. The professionalism showed to secure this exhibition for Newcastle West and the region, is a testament to the people involved. A lot of work had gone in over the years to attract prestigious exhibitions like this to the area.”
