One of the State's most prestigious art galleries lost out on a major bequest last year because of a lack of space, it has emerged.
Part of the collection of the late author and Irish Volunteer, Ernie O'Malley, and his wife, Helen, was to be donated to Kilkenny Castle's Butler Gallery.
However, the O'Malley family decided against the move due to the lack of space to show the works, said Ms Nathalie Weadick, director of the gallery.
The bequest would have included works by Irish artists Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett, she said. Mr John McGuinness TD, of Fianna Fáil, has called for a new space for the gallery near the city's railway station.
Nearly 200,000 people visited the gallery last year, and a lack of space at the castle was hindering its development, he said yesterday, at a function marking the 60th anniversary of the opening of the gallery.
He is to take his proposal to Kilkenny Borough Council.