Fiona Shaw tours Crawford before it closes

A Cork-born internationally renowned actress has described the redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery as a great symbol of the strength for Cork.

Fiona Shaw, who is based in London, was on a visit to her home town when she stopped by the gallery to see some of its artworks one last time before the gallery closes for redevelopment later in September.

She heralded the redevelopment of Crawford Art Gallery as a “fantastic opportunity for Cork to expand itself and said itss ambitious multi-million euro redevelopment project was a sign of positive regeneration for Ireland and Cork”.

She said: “The country is transforming. I feel we’re the only country in Europe with a surplus, that we could actually even dare to be thinking about improving our art galleries to such a scale. So this is a fantastic opportunity for Cork to expand itself. And it's a great symbol of the strength of the city.”

The actress was born in Cobh and graduated from UCC before attending RADA in London and embarking on a career laden with critically acclaimed roles in theatre, film and TV.

She is a familiar face from our screens for her parts in ‘Harry Potter’, ‘My Left Foot’ and the BBC series ‘Killing Eve’, for which she received a 2019 BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.

She said she had fond memories of coming into Crawford Art Gallery as a child growing up in Cork city. A portrait of Ms Shaw by UK artist Victoria Russell is amongst Crawford Art Gallery’s most-loved collection works. The oil painting ‘Portrait of Fiona Shaw’ was purchased by Crawford Art Gallery shortly after it was completed in 2002. Ms Shaw met with gallery director Mary McCarthy and curator Dr Michael Waldron and took a tour of the currently running exhibition Now You See It…before choosing ‘Daunt’ by Dorothy Cross as a favourite artwork in the exhibition.

Crawford Art Gallery will temporarily close to the public for a multi-million euro redevelopment project on 22 September.

The project will see the gallery increase its space by 50%, will add a stunning new fifth storey public gallery with birds-eye views over Cork city landmarks, and conserve 300 years of built heritage for generations to come.

The gallery expects to reopen to the public in mid-2027.