National Museum of Ireland facts for kids
| Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann | |
The current logo of the museum
|
|
| Established | 14 August 1877 |
|---|---|
| Location | Dublin and Castlebar, Ireland |
| Type | National museum |
| Collection size | Almost 4,000,000 items |
| Visitors | All branches: 1,315,776 (2016) |
| National Museum of Ireland network | |
The National Museum of Ireland (which is Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann in Irish) is Ireland's main museum. It focuses on Irish history, art, culture, and natural history. The museum also has important collections of archaeology from Ireland and other parts of the world.
It has four different locations. Three are in Dublin: the Archaeology Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Decorative Arts and History Museum. The fourth location is the Country Life Museum in County Mayo.
Contents
History of the Museum
How the Museum Started
The National Museum of Ireland grew from older collections. These came from groups like the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and the Royal Irish Academy (RIA). Some of the very first items were rocks and minerals. The RDS collected these to help people learn about Ireland's natural resources. The museum's collections really began in 1792. This was when they bought a large collection of minerals called the Leskean Cabinet.
One of the first places the RDS museum was located was at Hawkins Street House. Here, the Leskean Cabinet was shown to the public. The museum also had a lecture hall and a library. In 1815, the museum moved to Leinster House. New items were added, including collections from a geology professor named Charles Lewis Giescke. There was also a special display of Irish minerals called the Hibernicum.
A New Name and Building
In 1832, Charles Lewis Giescke was the first to call it the "National Museum of Ireland." This was in a list of insect and bird specimens. After Giescke passed away, John Scouler became the curator in 1834. During this time, the museum was open to the public a few days a week.
Soon, everyone agreed that a new museum building was needed. This led to the building that now holds the Natural History Museum on Merrion Street. As the museum grew, Scouler asked for a full-time director. Alexander Carte was chosen for this role in 1851. Carte reorganized the collections and added many new items. These included pieces from famous people like Sir William Wilde.
The museum took part in a big art and industry show in 1853. After this, the museum opened five days a week to the public.
The "Science and Art Museum" was officially created in 1877. It later became the "National Museum of Science and Art" in 1900. After Ireland became independent, it was named the "National Museum of Ireland." It also included items from the "Museum of Irish Industry," which started in 1847. The collections from the RIA and RDS became the basis for the Archaeology and History section. This is at the Kildare Street building, which opened in 1890. Until 1922, the museum complex also included Leinster House. Today, Leinster House is where the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas, meets.
After Ireland's Independence
The museum continued to operate from the Kildare Street and Merrion Square buildings. Later, new locations were opened at Collins Barracks and in County Mayo. By 1975, the museum's main collections included Irish old items, history, and natural history. It also had items from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The museum sometimes publishes books about its collections.
Museum Locations
The National Museum of Ireland has four main locations. Each one focuses on a different theme:
- National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, on Kildare Street, Dublin.
- National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, at Arbour Hill, Dublin.
- National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, on Merrion Street, Dublin.
- National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, near Castlebar in County Mayo.
Archaeology Museum
The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology is on Kildare Street. It shows items from Ireland's ancient past. You can see early gold items, church treasures, and objects from the Viking and medieval times. The "Kingship and Sacrifice" exhibit features well-preserved bog bodies. These are ancient human remains found in bogs.
The museum also has famous examples of early medieval Celtic metalwork. These include the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch, and the Derrynaflan Hoard. From prehistoric times, you can see the Iron Age Broighter Gold and many gold lunulas (moon-shaped gold necklaces). Many of these valuable items were found by accident in the 1800s. People were often farming new land. Without the help of people like George Petrie, many of these metal items would have been melted down. Today, Irish people are more aware of their heritage. For example, the Irish Bog Psalter was found by a machine operator in 2006. He knew it was important and reported it.
The museum is also home to the mummy of an ancient Egyptian woman named Tentdinebu.
Decorative Arts and History Museum
The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History is located at the large Collins Barracks site. This used to be a military base. It was named after Michael Collins in 1922. This museum opened in 1997. It also has the museum's offices, a shop, and a coffee shop.
This part of the museum displays furniture, silver, ceramics, and glassware. It also shows examples of everyday life, costumes, money, and weapons. A very old Chinese porcelain vase from about 1300 AD, called the Fonthill vase, is a special item here. The "Soldiers & Chiefs" exhibition shows military items. It tells the story of Ireland's military history from 1550 to today. The museum often has special exhibitions. For example, in 2007, they showed copies of six Irish High Crosses.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is part of the National Museum. It is on Merrion Street in Dublin. This museum has specimens of animals from all over the world. Locals sometimes call it the "Dead Zoo." Its collection and old-fashioned look have not changed much since the early 1900s.
Country Life Museum
The Country Life Museum is the newest part of the National Museum. It is just outside Turlough village in County Mayo. It opened in 2001.
This museum focuses on how ordinary people lived in rural Ireland. It covers the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Many of the items show life in the 1930s. There are exhibits about homes, the natural environment, communities, and how things changed over time.
How the Museum is Run
The museum is managed by a board of directors. Some directors are chosen by the Royal Irish Academy and the Royal Dublin Society. These groups helped start the museum. Other directors are chosen by the government minister in charge.
The museum is led day-to-day by a Director. Under the Director are people in charge of collections, learning, and operations. There are also Keepers for different areas like old items, art, natural history, and folk life. Other teams handle things like conservation, education, and finance.
List of Directors
- 1877–1883: William Edward Steele
- 1883–1894: Valentine Ball
- 1895–1907: George Tindall Plunkett (Colonel Plunkett)
- 1907–1916: George Noble Plunkett (Count Plunkett)
- 1916–1921: Robert Francis Scharff (acting director)
- 1921–1929: J.J. Buckley (acting director)
- 1934–1939: Adolf Mahr
- 1939–1947: Patrick O'Connor (acting director)
- 1947–1954: Michael Quane (Administrator)
- 1954–1976: Anthony T. Lucas
- 1976–1979: Joseph Raftery
- 1979–1988: Breandán Ó Ríordáin
- 1988 –2012: Pat (Patrick F.) Wallace
- November 1995 – April 1996: Eamonn (Ned) Kelly, acting director
- 2012–2013: Seamus Lynam (acting director)
- 2013–2018: Raghnall Ó Floinn
- 2018 to present: Lynn Scarff
See also
In Spanish: Museo Nacional de Irlanda para niños
