State Heraldic Museum facts for kids
Former museum site on Kildare Street in Dublin
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| Established | 1909 |
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| Dissolved | 2007 |
| Location | 2–3 Kildare Street, Dublin, Ireland |
| Type | Heraldic museum |
The State Heraldic Museum was a special place in Dublin, Ireland. It was located on Kildare Street. This museum opened in 1909 and was one of the oldest museums of its kind in the world. It closed its doors in 2007.
The museum was once part of a building shared with the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland. This office is where official symbols and coats of arms are created and recorded for Ireland. The museum itself was in what used to be the Coffee Room of the Kildare Street Club.
What is Heraldry?
Heraldry is like a secret language of symbols and designs. It uses special pictures and colors to represent families, towns, or even countries. Think of a family crest or a school badge; these are examples of heraldry. These symbols often tell a story about who someone is or where they come from.
What the Museum Showed
The State Heraldic Museum displayed many interesting items related to heraldry. These included:
- Town and Company Symbols: Pictures of official symbols used by towns and businesses. These are like their unique logos.
- Family Banners: Special flags called heraldic banners. These belonged to important families known as the Chiefs of the Name.
- Irish Symbols: The official symbols of Ireland, which once hung in the old Houses of Parliament.
- Historical Items: A police notice about the 1907 theft of the Irish crown jewels.
- Important Objects: The funeral cloth of Daniel O'Connell, a famous Irish leader. Also, the purse of the Irish Lord Chancellor, a high-ranking legal official.
These items helped visitors understand how heraldry was used in everyday life and for important events in Ireland's history.
Why the Museum Closed
The State Heraldic Museum closed in 2007. The items from the heraldry exhibition were moved. This was to make space for a new exhibition. The new display celebrated the 400th anniversary of an event called the Flight of the Earls. This was when several important Irish leaders left Ireland in 1607.
External links
- Newsgroup Archive - Closure of Irish State Heraldic Museum - Thread attributing statement to then director of National Library of Ireland indicating closure in 2007
