An event has been held to mark the commencement of construction for the €93m redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork City.
Designed by Grafton Architects, the redevelopment of Crawford Art Gallery is a major project under the National Development Plan.
The Department of Culture said it is a once in a multi-generation investment by the State to redevelop and restore a landmark, heritage building in Cork City centre.
It said the project aims to deliver an expanded and revitalised Crawford Gallery that will be a significant artistic and cultural amenity for Ireland in Cork City.
The redevelopment will also contribute to Cork’s city centre regeneration, strengthening and enhancing the city’s cultural reputation locally, nationally and internationally.
'Significant step'
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan and Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Kevin 'Boxer’ Moran all attended today's event.
Speaking in the Crawford Art Gallery, Mr Martin said: "Today marks a significant step in the redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery which is many years in the making.
"It is vitally important that we invest in our country’s cultural infrastructure. This investment demonstrates that Government is committed to enhancing the cultural lives of our citizens through our National Cultural Institutions.
"The redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery is set to deliver a landmark building in Cork that will enhance the city centre and cultural life in Cork, Munster and nationally."
Beginning life as a Custom House in 1724, the Crawford has operated as a School of Art, a municipal art gallery and a National Cultural Institution.
It has always grown and adapted, and the redevelopment marks another important moment in the history of the building.
The contractor, PJ Hegarty and Sons, is expected to start on site in early 2026 with the project due to be completed in mid-2028. The gallery fit-out, commissioning and re-occupation will then follow, prior to the opening.
Welcoming the commencement of the construction project, Minister O’Donovan said: "The National Cultural Institution (NCI) Investment Programme remains a key investment programme for my Department.
"I am delighted that as the only national cultural institution located entirely outside of Dublin, implementation of the Crawford Art Gallery redevelopment can now begin.
"My department, along with the OPW and the Crawford Art Gallery, have been working towards this day for many years, so it was with great satisfaction that I recently approved the awarding of the contracts.
"Following the tricentenary of the building in 2024, it is timely that this historic site once again reinvents itself."
Minister Moran said: "I am delighted to be here today to witness this significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery.
"The commencement of the refurbishment works on this historic building will provide a fit for purpose set of galleries and complementary facilities.
"The much-needed redevelopment will provide a universally accessible and environmentally sustainable space that will serve to enhance the Crawford Art Gallery Cork experience and the wider local environment. This is an exciting project that will bring culture and urban life closer together."
Rose McHugh, Chair of the Crawford Art Gallery, added: "This is a very significant moment in the history of Crawford Art Gallery. The ambitious and well considered redevelopment will ensure that the Gallery remains at the heart of the cultural life of Cork and Ireland for generations to come."
Director of the Crawford Art Gallery Mary McCarthy described the commencement of construction work as an exciting moment.
"The actual start on site of this redevelopment marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter - one that will deliver renewed and expanded spaces for visitors, artists, and future generations to enjoy and be inspired by," she said.
"We are ambitious for Cork, the region, and the impact that culture can contribute to the city centre and regional vibrancy."
The project will be fully exchequer-funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport under its National Development Plan capital envelope.
The full capital cost of the Crawford Art Gallery redevelopment project is now estimated at €93m. This figure includes VAT and provision for contingency.
€6.5m has already been spent to date to bring the project through to this stage. This figure covers investigative surveys, design costs, the costs of decanting the art works and getting the art works into storage.
The remaining capital costs are estimated at €86.6m.
