The F.E. McWilliam Gallery in Banbridge is one of our favourite places to spend a relaxed few hours.
Even if galleries aren’t usually your thing, this one tends to work well. The space is calm and light, the exhibitions change regularly, and it never feels busy or demanding. You can take it at your own pace and enjoy it without feeling the need to understand everything you’re looking at.
The gallery is also home to Quails at the Gallery, which is excellent. Proper coffee, very good breakfasts and lunches, and generous traybakes if you just want something simple. The staff are friendly, which makes it an easy place to linger rather than somewhere you feel hurried through.
The local tourist office is based in the gallery as well, so it’s a useful stop if you want maps, ideas, or inspiration once you’ve arrived in the area.
One of the quieter pleasures of the gallery is its programme of short courses and workshops. These often run on Saturdays and can include painting, drawing, embroidery and similar hands-on sessions. If that appeals, it’s worth checking what’s on and possibly timing your stay around it.
The gallery is currently being extended but remains open, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their website or Facebook page for updates.
Dedicated to sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam, who was born in Banbridge in 1909, the gallery houses a permanent collection of his work alongside temporary exhibitions of Irish and international art. McWilliam’s studio and its contents were donated to the town after his death, and that sense of connection to place still comes through.
It’s the sort of place you visit without feeling the need to rush.
https://visitarmagh.com/places-to-explore/f-e-mcwilliam-gallery/
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200 Newry Rd, Banbridge BT32 3NB