Oliver Nulty (d. 2005) commenced his life as an antiques dealer who, in the course of that work noticed Irish visual art was neglected.

He collected for years before opening his gallery and famously said the cultural revival in Ireland was "a tale of two cities" whereas Dublin concentrated on literature, art was confined to Belfast.

Nulty, who spotted a niche put fine pieces of Irish art through his gallery in his heyday, including all the heavyweights such as Yeats and Paul Henry.

Nulty was the first mounting an Irish Women's avant-garde exhibition featuring Mainie Jellet, Evie Hone and others which was opened by President Mary Robinson.

When Nulty established the Oriel there was no Irish art section in the National Gallery of Ireland.