Glebe House and Gallery
Glebe House and Gallery
4.5
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4.5
184 reviews
Excellent
143
Very good
34
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
DannyMcC_13
County Down, UK68 contributions
Sep 2022
This is a delightful House to visit, set in beautiful Donegal countryside. We visited Glebe House and Gallery on 8th September late on a beautiful afternoon. It is located on Church Hill, about 11Km from Glenveigh National Park and not far from Letterkenny, in County Donegal, and is managed by staff from the Irish Office of Public Works (OPW). The house, land and contents were donated to the Irish State by Derek Hill, an Irish painter, founder and sponsor of the Tory Island School of Folk Painters, and it is now open to the public. There is an art gallery in which exhibitions are held, a pleasant courtyard, with a café surrounded by flowerbeds filled with bushes and perennials. The garden is of moderate size but well planted and interesting.
The house is open for regular tours costing a few €, guided by OPW staff. Our guide was Mary, who had encyclopaedic knowledge of the contents of the house, the painting and their artists and the history of the house, which made for a fascinating visit. I was able to identify the unknown violinist subject of one of the Derek Hill portraits.
We enjoyed our visit to the house, its garden, contents and history – it was well worth the detour and should be on the “must visit” list for visitors to this part of Donegal.
The house is open for regular tours costing a few €, guided by OPW staff. Our guide was Mary, who had encyclopaedic knowledge of the contents of the house, the painting and their artists and the history of the house, which made for a fascinating visit. I was able to identify the unknown violinist subject of one of the Derek Hill portraits.
We enjoyed our visit to the house, its garden, contents and history – it was well worth the detour and should be on the “must visit” list for visitors to this part of Donegal.
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelenOg
2 contributions
Jun 2022
More than disappointed with the current exhibition. In fact it was dreadful.
I love art galleries and have visited here on numerous occasions. The gardens and surroundings are lovely. The house is a must with such an eclectic range of art, sculpture and history. The guides are great, so knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
Previous exhibitions have been super and having read the web page blurb of “Ireland’s most important ……. & rising stars…” I was anticipating a thrilling visit. The monotonous drone of the film & a chairs does not constitute art by any stretch of the imagination.
I love art galleries and have visited here on numerous occasions. The gardens and surroundings are lovely. The house is a must with such an eclectic range of art, sculpture and history. The guides are great, so knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
Previous exhibitions have been super and having read the web page blurb of “Ireland’s most important ……. & rising stars…” I was anticipating a thrilling visit. The monotonous drone of the film & a chairs does not constitute art by any stretch of the imagination.
Written 20 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emma
4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
What a fabulous visit. I was blown away by the house and the beautiful art. A special thank you to our wonderful tour guide Aileen who was very knowledgeable about the collection, the house, and the life of Derek Hill, and who made our experience so enjoyable.
Written 19 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Catherine
30 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
An amazing hidden gem in Donegal. A must see for any art lover and those who appreciate beautiful homes. Our guide Mary was knowledgable and friendly. Will definitely visit again.
Written 5 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tennyfix
Dublin, Ireland37 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Very knowledgeable & enthusiastic guide Jean. Despite us not knowing anything about Derek Hill she managed to make the visit inspiring & really enjoyable. The history of the house & the collection itself is very interesting & some lovely pieces. Nice gardens & tea rooms. Didn’t linger in the gallery space as it was very modern art installation! Overall well worth a visit.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim Scrivener
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We had a wonderful tour today with Jean.
Her expansive knowledge of the collection and her recollections of Derek Hill was a true treat.
Go visit for a closer inspection of a truly special Collection of 20th century art!
Her expansive knowledge of the collection and her recollections of Derek Hill was a true treat.
Go visit for a closer inspection of a truly special Collection of 20th century art!
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maeve
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
A fantastic tour of Glebe House, thank you Jean. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the history of the house, all the wonderful characters who lived there and visited. The art work and paintings are outstanding. Certainly worth a visit!
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Francesca
Dublin, Ireland19 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
A must in Donegal! We saw the Turas exhibition in the gallery and then taken round the Derek Hill's House by a very knowledgeable and personable guide Kathleen. The house and history is fascinating, the art, decoration and all the pieces are beautiful, eclectic and individual, provided with hostoryand context, and a lovely, homely, unchanged kitchen. Also told about the history of nearby Glenveagh Castle qnd surrounding area, so a good and comprehensive overview of the region! Short of moving in, I would recommend it!
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
james cush
4 contributions
Oct 2020
Relaxing place to visit, there a lot of information about Donegal and what can I said about the art you could spend hour's looking and lovely gardens to sit or walk run.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
G99D6W
Dublin, Ireland21 contributions
Aug 2020
Loved and cared for. That's how I felt after my visit to the exhibition at Glebe Gallery. Adrian and the staff here clearly love the place and Derek Hill's work and it shines through. Derek Hill's paintings and his collection are wonderful and a lovely insight into local life. I have been here before when the house was open, a gem, and hope to get back sometime soon when everything is open. Thank you very much.
Written 18 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Trish H
Belfast, UK11 contributions
Are you open at present -- thinking of Monday April 3rd
kevinhayden
Paris, France258 contributions
Hi, I don't work at Glebe and this reply is way too late. However I do hope you got to visit this interesting site. The area is gorgeous!
Ben L
Victoria, Canada158 contributions
Are you open in early May?
Nan009
Dublin, Ireland210 contributions
Opening Hours
Gallery only: Easter (4th - 12th April)
Daily 11:00 - 18:30
Re-opens 28th May - 27th September
Open Sat - Thurs in June & September 11.00 - 18.30 (closed Fridays)
Open Daily July & August 11:00 - 18:30.
Last Tour 1 hour before closing
Average Length of Visit: 1.5 hours
Is the house open in September
John O
Letterkenny, Ireland18 contributions
yes it is open, my daughters school visits later this month
Is the house opened in September
RussellAS28
London, UK106 contributions
I'm sorry, I do not know.
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Glebe House and Gallery | Letterkenny | UPDATED February 2023 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Glebe House and Gallery
- Hotels near Glebe House and Gallery:
- (0.09 km) Dillons Hotel
- (0.20 km) McGettigan's Hotel
- (0.33 km) No. 50 Boutique Bed & Breakfast
- (0.52 km) Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny
- (0.54 km) Station House Hotel Letterkenny
- Restaurants near Glebe House and Gallery:
- (0.04 km) Wholegreen Healthfood
- (0.06 km) Money Tree Restaurant
- (0.10 km) The Brewery Bar and Restaurant
- (0.24 km) The Lemon Tree
- (0.09 km) Dillon's Bar & Grill