The Crawford at the Castle sees the collection of the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork travel to Dublin for the first time in its near 200 year history. Founded as a school of art and 'saloon of sculpture' in 1819, the Crawford is uniquely positioned as the only visual arts National Cultural Institution outside of Dublin and possesses a long and significant history.

The site of Dublin Castle has been at the heart of Irish history since the arrival of Viking settlers in 841 AD. For centuries the Castle served as the headquarters of the British administration in Ireland and was the seat of the viceroy who represented the British monarch. From the foundation of the Irish State in 1922 to the present day it has continually hosted numerous key national events. Under the management of the Office of Public Works it is now a vibrant cultural centre with a rich historical and contemporary collection.

The Crawford at the Castle comprises a selection of fifty-nine works of Irish art from the Crawford's permanent collection, which will be exhibited in both the State Apartments and Coach House Galleries at Dublin Castle, establishing interesting resonances between these two historic institutions.