The Gallery is located in the heart of Georgian Dublin, on Merrion Square beside the Parliament (Dáil Éireann) and adjacent to the Natural History Museum, National Library, National Museum. The Gallery’s Millennium Wing creates a connection to nearby Trinity College. The evolution of the Gallery has created 2 frontages, the Millennium Wing entrance to Clare Street close to Trinity College and the original historic entrance onto Merrion Square. The dynamic of the two entrance opens up urban connections for the NGI but the connection between these entrances is currently convoluted and problematic. The Masterplan is built around creating a new connection between the entrances, highlighting the route from the Millennium wing to the historic wings at Merrion Square and opening up the 4 floor levels of the Gallery. The route, which is also an urban shortcut through the free entry NGI, is designed with higher light levels guiding visitors through the landlocked NGI. The masterplan allows the various layers of the Gallery to be read so that the history of the Gallery can be read in its architectural expression. The new wings are expressed as a series of layers parallel to the historic galleries. The final phase of the master plan includes the renovation of the 1968 Beit Wing, the provision of 6000m² of additional space, including an Education Centre for Learning and Creativity, improved facilities for the storage of the Gallery’s National Art Library and Archive, and a Centre of Excellence for Conservation.

The Gallery is located in the heart of Georgian Dublin, on Merrion Square beside the Parliament (Dáil Éireann) and adjacent to the Natural History Museum, National Library, National Museum. The Gallery’s Millennium Wing creates a connection to nearby Trinity College.

The evolution of the Gallery has created 2 frontages, the Millennium Wing entrance to Clare Street close to Trinity College and the original historic entrance onto Merrion Square. The dynamic of the two entrance opens up urban connections for the NGI but the connection between these entrances is currently convoluted and problematic.