Sir, - Because of my job, holidays at this time of year tend to be seized opportunistically and at short notice. Last week was one of those windows of R & R, so the weekend before I headed down for two days in Dublin I scanned the Internet for tickets for the Impressionist Exhibition in the National Gallery.
I was disappointed to see that the full week of available slots was blanked out. However, I didn't worry, as I had no doubt there would be tickets kept for on site sale during ordinary weekdays. It seemed logical. Any time I was in London, I had no trouble getting into well-publicised exhibitions in their National Gallery or the Royal Academy.
My wife and I arrived at the ticket stall before 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The staff were polite and helpful but there were no tickets at all for the next 11 days! They did suggest we call back regularly in case of "returns" or cancellations. This we dutifully did regularly up to 3.30 p.m. No success.
Resolutely we returned in the wind and rain the next morning for 9.30. There were a couple of other ticketless art lovers in front of us. Once again at the ticket stall we faced bad news - no tickets. Fortunately a school party arrived at the same time and their teacher kindly gave us their spare tickets. I am so grateful to her. An enjoyable morning was passed and the holiday was complete.
However I felt I had to write this letter, as the National Gallery must change its ticket-issuing system for such important exhibitions. Many people will be in a situation where they will be unable to plan at least two weeks ahead on proposed trips to Dublin. The gallery could so easily have kept a percentage of tickets for sale on-site-only on weekdays, say about 12 an hour. It would mean so much to genuine art lovers who would happily queue for an hour or more. I could so easily have not gained admission and I have no doubt many disappointed people have been turned away with no opportunity of seeing the exhibition before it returns to the States.
Finally, may I extend my praise to the wonderful staff in the National Gallery, especially the security staff, who I have always found extremely helpful and obliging. We are lucky to have such a wonderful institution in Ireland. Please clear up the ticket mess and make things perfect. - Yours, etc.,
Dr JOHN G. TOHILL,
Magherafelt,
Co Derry.