Roscommon County Museum facts for kids
| Músaem Chontae Ros Comáin | |
Roscommon County Museum in 2024
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| Location | The Square, Roscommon, Ireland |
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| Type | County museum |
| Public transit access | Mart Road bus stop |
The Roscommon County Museum (which is called Músaem Chontae Ros Comáin in Irish) is a special place that tells the story of County Roscommon in Ireland. It's like a time capsule filled with interesting items from the past.
This museum is managed by a group of people who love history, called the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society. They work hard to keep the museum running and share the county's history with everyone. You can find the museum in Roscommon town, inside an old church building.
What is the Roscommon County Museum?
The Roscommon County Museum is a place where you can learn about the rich history of County Roscommon. It shows how people lived, what they used, and important events that happened there over many centuries. It's a great spot to discover local heritage.
History of the Museum Building
The building where the museum is located is quite old and has its own story. It was built in 1863 and used to be a church for a group called Presbyterians. It was also known as the Dr. John Harrison Memorial Hall.
You can find this historic building right on The Square in Roscommon town. One cool feature of the building is a unique round window above the main door. This window has a special design that looks like a 'Star of David'. It was put there to remember the Welsh builders who constructed the church.
The County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society started using this old church as their museum in the early 1990s. They run the museum with the help of volunteers, which means people give their time freely to help out.
What Can You See Inside?
The museum has many different items that show the history of County Roscommon. These items are part of the museum's collections.
Some of the most important things you can see include:
- A stone slab from the 9th century. This slab came from an old place called St Coman's Abbey.
- A special stone carving called a Sheela na gig. This one came from Rahara church. These carvings are often found on old churches and castles in Ireland.
- A copy of the famous Cross of Cong. This replica was made in County Roscommon. The original Cross of Cong is a very important piece of Irish art.
- A copy of the Shrine of Manchan. This was also made in County Roscommon by a skilled gold-craftsman named Mael Isu Bratain Ui Echach, or "Mailisa MacEgan."
Behind the museum building, there is an outdoor area. Here, you can see examples of old farm machines that were pulled by horses. It's interesting to see how farming was done a long time ago.
The building also has the Roscommon Tourist Information Office. This is a helpful place where visitors can get maps and information about things to do and see in the area.
