Priceless paintings by Impressionists, such as Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh are due to go on public show on Tuesday at the National Gallery in the Irish Republic.

The exhibition, which lasts until the middle of April, coincides with the opening of the gallery's millennium wing.

The works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne and Gaughin are normally housed in the Fine Art Museum in Boston, but have been lent to the Dublin gallery.

The paintings are expected to attract visitors from all over the Republic and Northern Ireland - despite an entrance fee.

The gallery's director says the Impressionist painters are still a big draw.

The paintings by Van Gogh will be the highlight for some while others will be attracted by Monet's countryside scenes from rural France.