Harry Potter actress Fiona Shaw has described the redevelopment of Crawford Art Gallery as a “fantastic opportunity for Cork to expand itself,”
The critically acclaimed actress, who was born in Cobh and now based in London, was on a visit home when she stopped by the Crawford to see some of its artworks before the gallery closes for redevelopment later in September.
She is a familiar face on our screens for her parts in Harry Potter, My Left Foot and the BBC series Killing Eve
She described the multi-million euro redevelopment project at the Gallery as a sign of positive regeneration for Ireland and Cork.
“The country is transforming,” she said. “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.”
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.
Crawford Art Gallery will temporarily close to the public for an ambitious multi-million euro redevelopment project, Transforming Crawford Art Gallery, on September 22.
The gallery expects to reopen to the public in mid-2027.
