Overview
Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA) holds 831 works by 456 artists, the largest contemporary art collection in the Mid-West, and it is free to walk in. It occupies the Carnegie Building on Pery Square, on the edge of People’s Park in the city centre. One honest thing to know first: the permanent collection rotates through a single dedicated room, so the Paul Henry or Jack B. Yeats you came for may not be hanging on the day. The eight or so temporary shows a year are what you actually come for, and the gallery is a main venue for EVA International, Ireland’s biennial of contemporary art. Free entry and a café over the park make it a sound bet on a wet Limerick afternoon.
History
The Carnegie Building was put up in 1906 in the Romanesque-revival style as the city’s public library. In 1936 it was given over to the art collection and became Limerick City Gallery of Art, and its stone façade and high rooms suit both older Irish painting and newer installation work.
Architecture
Designed by William Murphy, the Carnegie Building shows its Romanesque-revival roots in rounded arches, heavy stonework and a central tower. The old library interiors were opened up into flexible gallery spaces while keeping details such as the decorative plasterwork and the main stairwell. A plain modern extension at the rear adds exhibition rooms, storage and education space, so the historic shell can meet current museum standards.
What to see and do
Permanent collection
The permanent collection rotates through a dedicated space across the year, with 831 works by 456 artists tracing Irish art from the 18th to the 21st century. Among them are paintings by Paul Henry, Jack B. Yeats, Seán Keating, Grace Henry and Sir William Orpen, alongside contemporary pieces by John Shinnors and Donald Teskey. There is also a large body of watercolours, drawings and engravings.
National Collection of Contemporary Drawings
Started in 1991, this now holds around 200 works and is often the subject of focused exhibitions on drawing as a medium.
Michael O’Connor International Poster Collection
About 2,800 posters from the 20th and 21st centuries make up a record of graphic design, political propaganda and advertising, and a working resource for design and history research.
Temporary exhibitions
The temporary programme is the real draw, with roughly eight contemporary shows a year by Irish and international artists. The gallery is also a primary venue for EVA International, Ireland’s biennial of contemporary art, staged city-wide across Limerick every two years. If you can time a visit to an EVA year, do.
Facilities
Zest Café
On the ground floor, Zest Café serves pastas, salads, soups, wraps and panini from 9.30am to 5pm, with large windows over People’s Park for a coffee between rooms.
Gallery shop
The shop carries art books, prints, postcards and locally made gifts.
Education and events
LCGA runs talks, workshops and family activities through the year. Schools and community groups can book guided tours, and there are regular artist-led sessions tied to current shows. Upcoming dates are on the Events/Education page of the website.
Practical information
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Saturday | 10am – 5pm |
| Sunday | 12pm – 5pm |
| Last admission is 15 minutes before closing. |
Admission
| Visitor type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General public | Free |
| Group tours (10+ people) | Free – pre-booking advised during major exhibitions |
The gallery is fully accessible: a ramp leads to the main entrance, doorways are wide, a lift serves all floors and there are disabled toilets. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at reception.
Getting there The Carnegie Building is a short walk from Limerick’s main train station and the bus hub. By car, on-street parking on Pery Square is limited, with a paid car park a few minutes’ walk away on O’Connell Street. There are secure bike racks near the entrance.
Contact and online
- Website: Limerick City Gallery of Art
- Phone: 061 310633
- Directions: Google Maps
- Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram