The director of the Cill Rialaig Project artists' retreat and gallery in south Kerry said yesterday she was confident of the backing of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, for an international art gallery in the county.
Ms Noelle Campbell-Sharpe said that at least three world arts foundations were interested in the Cill Rialaig project.
Four representatives from the Guggenheim Foundation, which is completing a development in Mexico, will visit a site in Waterville, and look at a riverfront site in Cahirciveen in the coming weeks, she said.
This follows the visit last year of Guggenheim board member Ms Nancy Watts, whose daughter Ms Morgan Pierce sits on the board of Cill Rialaig.
Also interested in Cill Rialaig is the Matisse Foundation. The artist Henri Matisse's grandson, Mr Gerard Matisse, a sculptor, will shortly be on his second visit to the retreat.
Representatives from a Los Angeles foundation have also visited the Cill Rialaig location on Bolus Head.
Ms Campbell-Sharpe said Mr O'Donoghue knew of the plan for the international gallery and she was confident of his interest and support.
At least €40 million would be needed to attract a foundation such as the Guggenheim to establish and stock a gallery in Ireland, she said.
"My dream of seeing Picasso on the Ring of Kerry is nearer now," she added.
Nearly 1,000 artists, including musicians, poets and writers, have stayed at the Cill Rialaig Centre, free of charge.