Dublin Years 1941-1967

The Capuchin Annual

Front cover of Capuchin Annual 1968 which features an article of tributes to MacGreevy on his death in 1967.MacGreevy was a frequent contributor from 1941 and joined the editorial staff in 1943. A full listing of his contributions to the Annual is attached to the 1968 Annual

The Capuchin Annual

The Capuchin Annual

Front cover of Capuchin Annual 1968 which features an article of tributes to MacGreevy on his death in 1967.MacGreevy was a frequent contributor from 1941 and joined the editorial staff in 1943. A full listing of his contributions to the Annual is attached to the 1968 Annual

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President Eamon De Valera opens the Mainie Jellett Exhibition

President Éamon De Valera and future President Cearbhall Ó Dalaigh at the opening of the Mainie Jellett Exhibition at Dublin's Municipal Gallery.MacGreevy and Bay Jellett ,sister of the artistare also in the photograph

President Eamon De Valera opens the Mainie Jellett Exhibition

President Eamon De Valera opens the Mainie Jellett Exhibition

President Éamon De Valera and future President Cearbhall Ó Dalaigh at the opening of the Mainie Jellett Exhibition at Dublin's Municipal Gallery.MacGreevy and Bay Jellett ,sister of the artistare also in the photograph

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On his return to Dublin he began writing for the Father Matthew Record and The Capuchin Annual. He joined the editorial staff of the latter a periodical that ran from 1931 to 1969 – a handsome and diverse publication. In 1945 both his study of Jack B. Yeats and Pictures in the Irish National Gallery were published.

He was appointed Director of the National Gallery in 1950 which during his tenure underwent revolutionary changes. He extended the collection of the gallery backed by his wide knowledge and scholarship. He established a series of free public lectures on the gallery's collection and established an in-house restoration department. He began planning a new wing which came to fruition in the late 60's.

As always throughout his career, MacGreevy was held in the highest personal regard by friends and colleagues alike. Ethna Waldron, his assistant at the Gallery recalled in particular "Dr. MacGreevy's great kindness and humanity which we remember most'.

His friendship with Jack B. Yeats flourished during this period and he was the recipient of awards from France and Italy and in 1957 an honorary Doctorate from the National University of Ireland.

In 1960 his last publication appeared, his study of Nicolas Poussin who represented for him the essence of European art.

He retired from the National Gallery in 1963 because of ill-health and he died in Dublin on 16 March 1967.

His friend and fellow Kerryman Bryan MacMahon recalled the burial service.

'France, Italy, Spain were there as the burial service was read in Irish. Noble ghosts of Ireland too but room was also made for the small townlands on the Shannon estuary, Tarmons and Kilcolman and Ballyguintenane and Dooncahar. For these no less than the colonnades of the famous were beloved by him whose body lay prone"