Jane Fenlon traces the changing fortunes of the remarkable Ormonde collection, begun in the 17th century by Ireland’s premier patron of the arts and lord lieutenant, James Butler
The history of the Ormonde picture collection is a story of over four centuries. In many ways, the fortunes of the acquisition and sales, collection and dispersal, spread picture collection mirrored those of the Ormonde family. Broadly speaking, the story can be told in four phases: acquisition in the 17th century, sales in the 18th, followed by a period of improving fortunes leading to more acquisitions, and finally, in the 20th century, a last sale, dispersal and partial recovery
Shane O’ Toole finds that the tragic atmosphere that had dogged the buildings of St Joseph’s Reformatory has been exorcised
Paul O’ Reilly previews a major exhibition of new work by John Shinnors which will open in his home town of Limerick on 19 September