Donor gives city museum £500,000

The Ulster Museum is closed for major development

An anonymous donor has pledged £500,000 to fund a new art gallery at the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

It is understood the donation has been given on the condition it is spent on a rooftop gallery for its collections of glassware, pottery and silver.

A total of £15m is now being spent on the refurbishment project.

Tim Cooke, chief executive of National Museums NI, said the 18-month project had reached its mid-point and the museum should reopen next summer.

"The construction side is going well," he said.

"The new roof is almost complete, the building has been stripped back inside and the new layout is taking shape after major structural work.

"Overhead walkways are under construction, the framework for the new Hall of Wonders has been erected and the galleries are being prepared for fit-out.

"The core of the landscaping work to re-model the relationship with Botanic Gardens is also advancing well."

The modernised museum will comprise a new entrance and arrival area, redesigned history and natural science galleries and a new restaurant.

"The project is on schedule and within budget," said Mr Cooke.

"We continue to work hard raising funds in a challenging climate and if more money comes in the next couple of months we will continue to expand the project to make sure we make the most of this opportunity."

As well as the anonymous donation, the project is being funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Heritage Lottery Fund and a range of other sources.

During the closure, staff have been rolling out an outreach programme, bringing collections to schools, libraries, science centres and local museums across Northern Ireland.