Northern Ireland Office

On the final engagement of the three day visit to Northern Ireland Her Majesty The Queen accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited the F E McWilliam Gallery and Studio, Banbridge.

Opened in September 2008, the Gallery and Studio is dedicated to the memory of Banbridge born sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam, one of Britain and Ireland’s most influential and successful artists. The gallery houses a collection of the contents of the sculptor’s studio in a superb exhibition facility consisting of a main gallery, sculpture garden and reconstructed studio. It also provides a Tourist Information Centre, café and craft shop.

On arrival Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Down Major William Hall. In the reception area Her Majesty and His Royal Highness met a number of Tourist Information and Gallery staff. 

Accompanied by Ms Deirdre Quail Arts Officer, in the ArtGallery, Her Majesty met artists Brian and Denise Ferran and Robert and James Scott sons of Artist William Scott, and Jasper McKinney, Chair Gallery Programming Committee and Sarah Gretton, daughter of FE McWilliam. Her Majesty then had the opportunity to view a number of paintings exhibited in the Gallery.

Meanwhile His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by Jason Diamond, Arts Officer, met Artist TP Flannigan and his wife Sheila, Ms Roisin McDonagh, Chief Executive, Arts Council for Northern Ireland, Councillor Frank Maher, Mayor of Drogheda Borough Council, Declan Breathnach, Chairman of Louth County Council and Conn Murray, County Manager of Louth County Council.

His Royal Highness went on to view a number of paintings exhibited in the gallery. Before moving outside Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were invited to sign the visitors book by Councillor Norah Beare, Chairman Banbridge District Council.

In the garden the Royal guests met a number of EU funders and supporters. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness then toured the garden and viewed a number of sculptures and the F E McWilliam workshop and studio.

Later in the Gallery Café Her Majesty and His Royal Highness met around thirty guests representing the Arts Sector, Louth County Council, Drogheda Borough Council and Banbridge District Council.

Councillor Beare invited Her Majesty to unveil a plaque to commemorate the visit.

Prior to departure Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were presented with a piece of bronze sculpture by local sculptor Jasper McKinney and a book by Denise Ferran entitled “F E McWilliam at Banbridge”.

Notes to Editors

On arrival Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Down Mr William Hall who went on to present:

Councillor Norah Beare, Chairman Banbridge District Council.

Mr Liam Hannaway. Chief Executive, Banbridge District Council

Mr David Simpson MP MLA, Member of Parliament, Upper Bann

Councillor Ian Burns, Vice-Chairman, Banbridge District Council

Mr Jason Diamond, Arts Officer, Banbridge District Council

Miss Deidre Quail, Arts Officer, Banbridge District Council

F E McWilliam Gallery

F E McWilliam was born in Banbridge on 30 April 1909.  After his death in 1992 the executors of his estate donated the sculptor’s studio and its contents to the State, with the intention that it would be displayed in the country of his birth. 

The Gallery is a beautifully designed open exhibition space.  Banbridge District Council’s permanent collection of McWilliam sculptures will always be on display within the gallery. 

The SculptureGarden was designed to capture the spirit of F E McWilliam’s garden in which his studio was situated at his home in London’s HollandPark. 

The Studio is a near replica of McWilliam’s studio workshop.  Looking through the glass walls, the viewer can see the workshop just as F E McWilliam left it.  All has been replaced as it was.  The studio itself houses a large collection of maquettes which are the preparatory works for the sculpted bronzes.  The works can be seen from the earliest stages of construction, from wire armature to sculpted plaster.

Funding the Project

Banbridge District Council sought out a suitable site for many years, eventually settling on the site of the Banbridge Tourist Information Centre, adjacent to the main A1 Dual Carriageway.  The project became a joint venture with Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland, who were developing a gallery space to house the Drogheda art collection.  A Cross-Border Arts Partnership was formed which successfully drew down substantial funds from the EU Interreg IIIA Programme for capital works to develop both galleries. Both galleries have been completed to a high standard thanks to both councils securing a total funding package of €3.388m from the European Union’s Interreg IIIA Programme, which was administered by the East Border Region Interreg IIIA Partnership. A sum of €2.18m was awarded to Banbridge District Council while the balance (€1.208m) was awarded to Drogheda Borough Council.

The F E McWilliam Gallery & Studio cost the Council £2.2 million to construct, with around £1.6 million grant received.