New Athlone art gallery to open at end of month

The multi-million euro Luan Gallery is gearing up for its official opening as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan is scheduled to open the gallery on Thursday, November 29. The €3.4m contemporary art gallery was designed by architect Keith Williams and it is the first purpose-built, modern visual art gallery to be located in the midlands. It is also the first new visual art gallery to be opened in the country in over three years. Its first exhibition is billed as a "provocative" collection from the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). The work of accomplished national and international artists, including Daphne Wright, Shane Cullen and Patrick Graham, will be featured. The gallery incorporates the historic Fr Mathew Hall building, which was the site of performances by John Count McCormack and was also the town's library for many years. Its new blend of traditional and modern design has prompted much comment locally. A competition to name the gallery held earlier this year attracted hundreds of entries. The winning name, Luan, was selected by the members of Athlone Town Council in early September. It derives from the Irish for Athlone: 'Baile Áth Luain'. According to Athlone Art and Heritage Ltd - which will manage the Art Gallery - it "will cater primarily but not exclusively for the visual arts, with an emphasis on meeting local audience needs in terms of art exhibitions and engagement." Minister Deenihan will officially open the Luan Gallery at 3pm on Thursday, November 29, and others in attendance at the opening ceremony will include Mayor of Athlone Jim Henson, Town Clerk Hugh O'Reilly and artists Shane Cullen and Daphne Wright.