City Council defends returning Daly art collection

Date Published: 14-May-2013

Galway city council is defending returning a collection of paintings and sculptures without the knowledge of some councillors.

The ‘Daly collection’ was given to the city council under a loan agreement in 1989, which specified the art be available for public display.

Director of services Tom Connell told councillors last evening the decision to return the 27 piece collection was regrettable but that it didn’t belong to the city council.

He also added the major issue for city council is that it doesn’t have adequate premises for their display, and doing so would have required a serious investment.

Councillor Catherine Connolly said it was ‘shocking’ that many councillors found out about the return of the collection in the national media.

A motion was later passed requesting that a delegation approach the interest director of AIB, to request Lynch’s castle in the city be given back to the people, and used as a municipal art centre.

Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Hildegarde Naughton explained the city needs a gallery to showcase the rich culture here in Galway.