Glebe Gallery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glebe House and Gallery |
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| Former names | St Columb’s |
| Alternative names | Derek Hill House |
| General information | |
| Address | Glebe, Church Hill, County Donegal, F92 WP70 |
| Town or city | Letterkenny |
| Country | Ireland |
| Opened | 1828 |
| Owner | Office of Public Works |
| Known for | House of Derek Hill |
Glebe House and Gallery is a special place near Letterkenny in County Donegal, Ireland, where art and history come together. The beautiful house, built in 1828, was once the home of the famous painter Derek Hill.
In 1954, Hill moved into the house and used it as his home and art studio. He loved it so much that in 1982, he gave the house, its gardens, and his amazing art collection to the people of Ireland. Today, you can visit to see incredible art and explore the lovely grounds.
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A Home for Art and History
Glebe House is more than just a building; it's a museum that shows how a great artist lived and worked. The Office of Public Works, an Irish government agency, now takes care of the property.
Who Was Derek Hill?
Derek Hill was an English artist known for his paintings of people (portraits) and scenery (landscapes). He fell in love with the wild beauty of County Donegal and made Glebe House his home. He was also a great collector of art from all over the world.
Hill was friends with many other artists, and he even helped the painters of nearby Tory Island, like James Dixon, to become famous.
What Can You See Inside?
Visiting Glebe House is like stepping back in time. The rooms are decorated just as Derek Hill left them, with furniture from Europe and Asia and beautiful wallpapers designed by William Morris.
The main attraction is the art collection. It includes masterpieces by some of the world's most famous artists, such as:
You can also see works by important Irish artists like Louis le Brocquy, Jack Butler Yeats, and Patrick Swift.
The Gallery and Gardens
Next to the house is the Glebe Gallery. This modern building was once Derek Hill's art studio. Now, it hosts different art shows throughout the year, featuring both Irish and international artists.
The house is surrounded by beautiful woodland gardens that go all the way to the edge of Lough Gartan. These gardens are open for everyone to enjoy all year round. In May 2023, a special outdoor classroom was opened for the local school, allowing students to learn about art and nature in a fun, hands-on way.
Visiting Glebe House
The gallery is open from spring to autumn each year. To see the amazing art collection inside Glebe House itself, you need to join a guided tour.
In September 2024, the house and gallery closed for important conservation work, which means experts worked to protect and repair the historic building and its art. The gallery reopened in January 2025, but the house is still being carefully restored and will open again in the summer.
The hard work to care for this special place has been recognized with awards. In July 2024, it received full accreditation from the Heritage Council for its high standards. In November 2024, it won a green flag award for its beautiful and sustainable parks.
