2008 – Royal Hibernian Academy, Ely Place, Dublin

The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts was founded in Dublin in 1823. The first elected president was the landscape painter, William Ashford, followed the next year by architect Francis Johnston. He provided a headquarters for the RHA at Academy House in Lower Abbey Street at his own expense. Academy House was destroyed by fire during the Easter Rising in 1916. From 1939 onwards, the Academy used a Victorian House at 15 Ely Place as its home, designed by Thomas Manly Deane as a home for himself.

In 1971 this was demolished after, the property developer, Matt Gallagher suggested he would fund a modern gallery on the site to designs by Raymond McGrath. After the sudden death of Gallagher in January 1974, it emerged that he had left no provision in his will for the completion of the gallery and work stopped shortly after. The building lay unfinished for many years before it was completed in 1988 by Arthur Gibney.

In 1985 it opens its doors, unfinished and appealing for funds for completion.

The Sunday Independent, reported in November 1988 that “A MAJOR GALLERY of the arts was opened last night to the public – 10 years after its construction was halted when funds ran out following the death of its main benefactor, millionaire builder Matt Gallagher.” It went on to say that “An estimated £1.5 million went into phase two of the project – resuming the work, which ended with Mr Gallagher’s death, and the subsequent financial difficulties of companies connected with his family.”

Gibney when asked about the completed building said “…. The main gallery spaces are much as Raymond McGrath envisaged them and their immense success as exhibition facilities is a tribute to his considerable skills.”

The original entrance was to the south (further along the cul-de-sac that is Ely Place), the ground floor was recessed with a brick-clad façade. The building’s internal circulation was generally criticised for being unclear. The building was closed between 2007 and 2009 for renovations. These alterations, carried out by Henry J. Lyons Architects, addressed the navigation issues and requirements for additional space, as well as a new facade.