This exhibition of Irish painting from the 17th to the middle of the 19th century continued Pyms Gallery's long-standing commitment to Irish art.

It was something of a landmark as there had been practically no historical exhibition in London showing the diversity, strength and quality of Irish painting from this period.

Ireland may be on the edge of Europe but its art is firmly in the mainstream of European painting, influenced not only by English art, but also by the great continental schools - French, Flemish and Italian.