This is an interesting destination, with dedicated parking – and handy to The Outlet retail park.
Open since September 2008, the Gallery and Studio is dedicated to the memory of Banbridge born sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam, one of Britain and Ireland’s most influential and successful artists. This impressive gallery houses a collection of the contents of the sculptor’s studio in an exhibition facility consisting of a main gallery, sculpture garden and reconstructed studio.
There’s also a Tourist Information Centre and a craft shop showcasing beautiful handcrafted products, as well as the café (see below). Banbridge District Council works in partnership with Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery and the café Quails at the Gallery is worth visiting.
Here you can enjoy a pleasant lunch looking out through big glass walls into the sculpture garden. The franchise is operated by Joe Quail, who has a butcher's shop and café in Banbridge town, and everyone who visits the gallery praises the café – it has even been visited by Queen Elizabeth, in May 2009.
Menus offered begin with breakfast (until noon), then there’s an appealing general menu including Panini with Quail’s Great Taste Gold Medal honey roast ham, mozzarella & relish; kids meals (under 12s) including an option with Quails own sausages and more grown-up choices such as Atlantic prawn open sandwich with homemade wheaten bread – and, Northern Ireland being the baking capital of Ireland, lots of scones, muffins, tray bakes and luscious desserts.
A more formal 2/3 course Sunday lunch menus also offered.
Purveyors of fine foods for over 100 years', this excellent family-run food hall and delicatessen evolved from a small butchers shop, and dry-aged 28 day matured Limousin heifer beef is among the many special foods available from the shop and online.
