Minister O’Donovan opens new outdoor classroom at The Glebe House and Gallery at the start of Biodiversity Month

Welcomed by excited pupils from the local Gartan National School, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan, today (2 May) opened the new outdoor classroom at the Glebe House and Gallery. The event was a perfect start to the month which will see a host of events at OPW heritage sites across Ireland in the lead-up to International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May.

This purpose-built classroom for children will allow them to engage with arts, culture and nature in a holistic manner at the OPW heritage site which was once the home of renowned artist Derek Hill, who donated it to the people of Ireland in 1981. It is an excellent example of the OPW’s Biodiversity Action Strategy in action, showing how diversity by design and biodiversity awareness inform the management of our built heritage and parklands and can contribute to forming a new generation of nature champions in the community.

In total, over 500 trees have been planted, almost all of them native, with fully accessible pathways created to allow access to the classroom and surrounding bog.

Minister O’Donovan stated:

The OPW will be progressing other exciting projects at the site to enhance visitors’ enjoyment, including new, accessible pathways and walks as well as additional bog planting to create a wetland meadow. The new path will link the existing gravel path along the lakefront with the wildflower meadow. This will create a circular walk throughout the gardens and will allow visitors to discover lesser known areas in the beautiful grounds of Glebe House.

Photography from the visit will be available from Clive Wasson Photography info@clive.ie or for further information and interview requests, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie

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The Glebe House and Gallery and its surrounding historic parkland has been under the care and management of the Office of Public Works since 1981. Close to Letterkenny (N92 WP70), the property attracted 30,000 visitors in 2022 and is one of the most popular attractions in County Donegal.

The Glebe House and Gallery stand on extensive grounds, 20 acres of Robinsonian gardens and woodland and 30 acres of farmland, on the edge of Lough Gartan, in Northwest Donegal. It is set on a hilltop sloping down to the lough, with the Derryveagh Mountains and Glenveagh National Park serving as a spectacular backdrop.

For almost 30 years, Glebe House was the home of the artist Derek Hill. The house and grounds were gifted to the people of Ireland under the care of OPW in 1981. The gift also included all of the contents of the house, incorporating over three hundred art works by leading twentieth-century artists such as Picasso, Pasmore and Kokoschka. Irish and Italian artists are especially well represented. Furthermore, the 1828 Regency-style house is decorated with William Morris wallpaper and textiles as well as Islamic and Japanese art. The Derek Hill collection numbers over 1,200 objects. In addition, there is also a contemporary collection of nearly 100 works. The Centre programmes contemporary visual arts exhibitions from June to November, accompanied by a dynamic education programme.

The Glebe House and Gallery is a cultural jewel. Not only does it hold the record of being the oldest contemporary art gallery in the northwest, it is an extremely important centre for culture and learning. It also offers great potential for development into a leading internationally recognised facility, a facility marrying the historical and contemporary.

For further information on booking the outdoor classroom, please contact the Glebe House and Gallery at 074 913 7071 or glebegallery@opw.ie