A stunning selection of paintings from the Ulster Museum is to go on display in an exceptional loan agreement with Fermanagh County Museum.

Twenty three of the most important paintings from the Ulster Museum's unique fine art collection which illustrates Ulster painters at the peak of their talents, will be on display for the next two and a half months at Fermanagh County Museum at Enniskillen Castle.

The exhibition entitled Ulster Painters 1900-1945, which was formally opened in Fermanagh last night by Dr Eileen Black, Curator of Fine Art from the Ulster Museum, includes paintings by major 20th Century figures including William Conor, Paul Henry, James Humbert Craig, Charles Lamb, John Luke and Colin Middleton . The exhibition forms part of the Ulster Museum's major outreach programme which coincides with the temporary closure of the Museum for major £14.7 million rejuvenation.

Tim Cooke, Chief Executive of National Museums Northern Ireland, says: "The Ulster Museum, part of National Museums Northern Ireland, holds some of the finest Irish masterpieces and this exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase part of our collections to a wider audience. I am delighted that people from the Fermanagh area can experience this exhibition first-hand over the coming months. I think its quality and range will surprise many visitors and hopefully will inspire future interest in our collections and museums."

Sarah McHugh, Museum Services Manager from Fermanagh County Museum said:

'The 'Ulster Painters' exhibition is a rare opportunity to view a substantial number of important paintings from the Ulster Museum's collection on show here at Enniskillen Castle. It is perfectly complemented by an exhibition focusing on Kathleen Bridle, an artist whose work and teaching influenced other key Ulster painters from Fermanagh, William Scott and T.P. Flanagan.'

Among the highlights from the Ulster Painters 1900-1945 exhibition are Paul Henry's The Blacksmith (1910-13) which is remarkable for its high degree of characterisation; William Conor's The City Hall under Snow (c1920s) which is an evocative image of Belfast City Hall; John Luke Self Portrait (c1927-28) which reveals Luke's prowess in modelling the face and catching expression. Others include the last painting ever painted by James Humbert Craig A Good Catch, Co. Donegal (1943-44), Charles Lamb Leenane and Colin Middleton's Head (1938).

Since the temporary closure of the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Painters Exhibition has also been on display in Hillsborough Castle and Lisburn Museum. The exhibition forms part of the wider Ulster Museum Outreach programme which involves more than 200 events throughout Northern Ireland. The outreach programme is designed to bring information about the collections to new audiences while the museum is closed until June 2009. It also includes other exhibitions, library displays, lectures and talks & handling sessions which will take place right across Northern Ireland.

The Ulster Painters Exhibition will be on display in Fermanagh County Museum until the 31st May 2008.