Audrey Whitty facts for kids

Audrey Whitty is an important Irish archaeologist, librarian, and curator. A curator is someone who looks after a museum's collections. As of February 2023, she is the director of the National Library of Ireland. Before this, she was a top leader at the National Museum of Ireland.

Early Life and Education

Audrey Whitty was born in May 1977. She grew up with two siblings. She went to University College Dublin where she studied History and Archaeology. She earned two degrees there, including a Master's degree in Archaeology. Later, she earned a Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin.

Career Journey

Working in Museums

Audrey Whitty started working at the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) in 2001. She was a curator for collections like ceramics, glass, and Asian art. While working there, she earned her doctorate. Her special project was about the art collection given to the museum by Albert Bender. For many years, this collection couldn't be shown to the public. Audrey Whitty helped bring much of it back for everyone to see.

In 2013, she took a break from the NMI to work at the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, USA. There, she was a curator for European and Asian glass. She returned to Ireland in 2015. Back at the NMI, she became the Head of the Art and Industrial Division. This role involved looking after decorative arts, design, and history collections.

In 2019, she was promoted to lead all the museum's collections and educational programs. Then, in 2021, she became the deputy director of the National Museum. Audrey Whitty was involved in important decisions, like moving Michael Collins' cap from display. This was because it was important to consider how to respectfully display items that might be linked to human remains. She also helped create an exhibition called (A)Dressing Our Hidden Truths. This exhibition shared important stories about difficult parts of Ireland's past, like the mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries.

Leading the National Library

Audrey Whitty was chosen to be the new director of the National Library of Ireland. She started this important job in February 2023. Her term as director will last for five years.

Other Important Roles

Audrey Whitty has also taken on other leadership roles. In 2018, she joined the board of the Irish Museums Association. Since 2020, she has been its chairperson. She is also a trustee for the Stourbridge Glass Museum. From 2020 until February 2023, she was on the board of North Lands Creative. This is a special center in Scotland where people study and develop glass as an art form.

Personal Life

Audrey Whitty is married and has at least one daughter.