• A 50% increase in overall space 
• A 32m new-build extension to the rear of the building
• A new top floor gallery with views of iconic Cork landmarks.
• A main entrance reoriented onto Emmet Place, the historic Customs House entrance. 
• A new landscaped garden to the front of building.
• Two floors of state-of-the art secure storage for the collection. 
• A new Learn & Explore facility for delivering classes, workshops and other outreach programmes.
• New toilets on many floors and accessible changing facilities. 
• A new restaurant opening onto Half Moon Street. 
• A large new lift for enhanced accessibility. 
• More temperature and light level controls and “Low to Zero Carbon Technologies” (LZC) to decarbonise the building. 
• Vital conservation works to the building and in particular to the front façade of the building, the iconic Sculpture Gallery, the woodwork, stairways and external railings.  

Crawford Art Gallery closed to the public in autumn 2024.

Most of the collection has been carefully moved to secure offsite storage, with each artwork undergoing meticulous condition checks and wrapping to ensure the utmost care for the treasured artworks. Expert conservators will continue to work on care of the collection during the public closure period. Crawford Art Gallery is also working with colleagues across the museum and gallery sector on the island of Ireland to tour and share the Collection here.

It is currently anticipated the construction phase will take 122 weeks and that the gallery will reopen mid 2028.

For regular updates on the project throughout the public closure period, please sign up to our newsletter or follow our social media channels.