The Donnellys experience the delicate art of access

When it comes to elitism it only takes one man to rock the establishment, or indeed the boat, and Aidan Devon's persistence finally paid off.

After two years attempting to get an appointment to view Joe and Marie Donnelly's art gallery in Killiney, Co Dublin, Aidan became one of the first members of the public (with nine others) to view what is considered to be the finest collection of contemporary international art privately owned in Ireland.

Under the terms of the planning permission for the building, the gallery is accessible to the public on 60 days of the year by appointment.

"What we need is for the local authority to provide a tasteful little sign informing the public how the can gain access," says Aidan.

Quite. (Incidentally, you can phone Penny Gray at 01 676 8200 for an appointment.) Mount Eagle, the Donnelly's art gallery on the Vico Road, has a floor space of 6,300 sq ft, of which 1,350 is the gallery (well, I guess you just can't get enough storage space these days).

For those of you who may never have the pleasure let me reveal the treats in store. There are three paintings by George Baselitz, two of which are from his `upside-down period'; a Matisse drawing; a Picasso drawing; a pair of fur-covered stilettos by Dorothy Cross; a stuffed headless doll by Sarah Lucas; and a Willem de Kooning bronze woman seated.

There are also two couches, a large table and chairs, and two lamps (described by the tour guide as "art furniture"), and a discreet recess area which houses a selection of, er, serving dishes and cutlery. `Art' knives and forks, no doubt.

Ciara Ferguson
Sunday Independent
27^th January 2003

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