A creditors' meeting has been called for one of Ireland's best-known art galleries, Oriel Gallery, writes Suzanne Lynch. A liquidator is to be appointed at the meeting which is scheduled for May 17th. Founded in 1968 by Oliver Nulty, the company is owned and controlled by Mark Nulty.

The most recent accounts for the company show that Oriel had a deficit of €353,702 at the end of 2009, almost 80 per cent higher than the deficit of €197,018 recorded a year earlier.

The total owed to creditors at the end of 2009 stood at €678,693, most of which comprised bank loans.

The gallery, which is located on Clare Street in Dublin close to the National Gallery, is one of the leading exhibitors and vendors of Irish art.