Kerry County Museum facts for kids
| Príomh-Mhúsaem Chiarraí | |
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland |
| Type | County museum |
| Public transit access | Tralee railway station |
Welcome to the Kerry County Museum! This exciting museum is located in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. It's found inside a special building called the Ashe Memorial Hall, right in the middle of Tralee. The museum's main goal is to gather, keep safe, and show off amazing objects that tell the story of County Kerry's past.
Contents
Discovering Kerry's Past
The Kerry County Museum is a fantastic place to learn about the history of County Kerry. It helps everyone understand the important events and daily life of people from long ago. The museum works hard to collect, protect, and share the unique history of the county.
The Ashe Memorial Hall: A Building with History
The museum is housed in a very important building. It's called the Ashe Memorial Hall. This building has a rich history of its own. It was once used by local government councils.
From Old Council to New Museum
Before 1920, the local council for County Kerry had its own building. However, this building was badly damaged during a difficult time in history. After this, a new building was needed for the councils.
In the 1920s, leaders decided to build a new place. This new building would be for both the Kerry County Council and the Tralee Urban District Council. They chose a site that had parts of an old 17th-century castle.
Building the Ashe Memorial Hall
The new building was designed by an architect named Thomas Joseph Cullen. He used a style called Neo-Georgian. This means it looked like older, grand buildings. It was built using strong stone and cost a lot of money at the time.
The building opened in 1928. It was named in memory of Thomas Ashe. He was an important republican figure. The design of the building is very grand. It has many windows and a strong, balanced look.
A New Purpose for the Hall
For many years, the Ashe Memorial Hall served as a meeting place for the councils. But in 1989, the councils moved to new offices. This left the historic building empty.
That's when the idea for the Kerry County Museum began. In the early 1990s, the museum was created. Its aim was to show off the amazing history of County Kerry. At first, it focused on ancient treasures from the area. It even had a special "medieval experience" for visitors.
Exploring the Exhibits
The Kerry County Museum has many interesting things to see. Each exhibit tells a unique story from Kerry's past. You can discover objects from different time periods.
Highlights of the Collection
One special item is an early medieval brooch. This beautiful piece of jewelry shows the skill of people from long ago. It gives us a peek into their art and culture.
You can also see duelling pistols. These were used by a famous Irish leader, Daniel O'Connell, in the early 1800s. They tell a story about a different time and how conflicts were sometimes settled.
Another popular exhibit is dedicated to Tom Crean. He was a brave explorer from Kerry. He went on amazing journeys to the Antarctic. His story shows incredible courage and adventure.
