The Friends of the National Collections of Ireland have received a generous bequest under the will of our former president, the late Dr John Maiben Gilmartin. It is very much appreciated, and will greatly assist us in our work, which has too often been frustrated through lack of funds.
John joined the Friends while still a student, was an active and erudite member of Council for many years and was our president on two occasions, most recently from 2016 to 2018. It was entirely in character that his will should reflect his public spirit and philanthropy, with thoughtfully chosen gifts of paintings, sculpture and interesting objects left by him to a range of national and regional cultural institutions in Dublin, Sligo, Waterford and elsewhere. His contribution to the work of the Friends deserves to be commemorated, and Council is considering how best to do this.
