Museums of Ireland

With a rich and varied past, it should come as no surprise that Ireland has scores of museums housing valuable collections of art and antiques. Most museums in Ireland are open on all days of the week and usually facilities on hand include a general restaurant for refreshments.

Michael Davitt Museum

Located at Foxford in Mayo, the museum and the adjoining community centre were opened in 1984 in honour of Michael Davitt (1846-1906), 'the father of the Land League' and one of Ireland's greatest patriots. He is buried in the adjoining cemetery where a Celtic Cross marks his grave. The museum contains an extensive collection of letters, documents, photographs and personal items relating to Davitt, along with copies of the books written by him and about him. Also found are several banners, posters and other memorabilia dealing with the Land League. The museum is open during the main tourist season and on request at other times.

Longford Museum & Heritage Centre

This museum at the main street of Longford houses the collected memorabilia of the Historical Society. The artefacts include authentic folk kitchen of the pre-1920's complete with settle bed and loft, an Elk's Antler believed to be 4,000 years old, the Aughafad Cross dating back to the 10th century, a jacket worn by General Sean McEoin, and a gold watch given by Michael Collins to his Granard born girlfriend Kitty Kiernan bearing the inscription from Michael to Kitty dated back to 1921.

Culkins Emigration Museum

Culkin's Emigration Museum is located at Cannaghanally in Dromore, west of Sligo. It reflects a period when entire families had been scattered in emigration. The Museum hosts fascinating artefacts and features. There is an original shop within the building.

Woodville Farm

Woodville farm is situated around 2km from Sligo town and is under the Knocknarea Mountain, overlooking Sligo Bay. A guided tour takes you through the woodland, green pastures and old farm buildings showing a wide range of farm animals and poultry in their natural habitat. The farm machinery museum depicts the methods of farming in the 19th century. Various breeds of poultry and pheasants share the walled garden while history and heritage are well-preserved in the horse stalls museum of the 19th century.

Knock Folk Museum

Knock Folk museum is located at Knock, in Mayo County. It officially opened in May of 1987and is one of the major tourist attractions in Ireland. The museum's theme "A Look into the past" portrays life in 19th century rural Ireland and the museum itself is divided into fifteen sections each devoted to a particular subject. It has over 2,000 exhibits on display along with an abundance of photographs. There is a fully furnished thatched cottage that has been built inside the museum.

The Old Jameson Distillery

The Old Jameson Distillery lies in the heart of old Dublin, on Bow Street Smithfield, on the site of the original Jameson Distillery. John Jameson who was determined to produce one of the finest whiskeys in the world founded the Distillery in 1780. The Distillery first opened as a visitor centre in November 1997. These tours brought the traditional craft of whiskey production to life.

The tour includes audio-visual presentation, guided tour of Old Distillery, and whiskey tasting. The main elements of the Distillery are the recreation of the malting, milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, vatting and bottling areas.

The main features of the museum are the unique art of Irish Whiskey making, working Mash Tun, Old Wooden Fermentation Vessel, original Copper Pot Stills, recreated Maturing Warehouse, working Bottling Line, and gift shops.

The Burren Centre

The Burren Centre in Kilfenora in Clare reflects the 350 million years that has shaped the Burren into one of the most important natural attractions in the world. The landscape models, displays and audio-visuals reflect the rich history of this place. You get to explore the geology and geography of this region, the rich diversity of Burren flora and fauna and the history of man in this landscape. You can also enjoy a meal or snack in the cosy tearooms and garden or browse in the crafts and bookshops.

The Great Blasket Centre

The Great Blasket Island of Kerry County, off the Dingle peninsula, is renowned for its historic, cultural and literary heritage. In the twenties and thirties of this century, Blasket writers produced books that are deemed classics in the world of literature. The Great Blasket Centre, on the mainland at Dunquin, reflects the remarkable story of the native islanders who lived in this century. Facilities include a state-of-the-art exhibition, scale model of the island village, audio-visual documentary in several languages, a bookshop and a self-service restaurant.

Ardfert Cathedral, Churches & Friary

This group of churches is located in Ardfert in Kerry County. The Romanesque doorway, blind arcade on the west wall, and some masonry under the two windows in the north wall are the oldest part of this cathedral that dates back to the 12th century. The tow small square niches in the north-eastern corner of the church are also held to be Romanesque. Its present shape dates back to mid 13th century with its characteristic triple lancet window in the east wall and the nine slender windows in the south wall. In a niche in the north-west corner is the effigy of a bishop, said to be that of Bishop Stack who died in 1488. The remains of a triple sedilia can be seen in the south wall.

North-west of the cathedral is Temple na Hoe, a remarkable and similar Romanesque nave-and-chancel church. It features include the columns at the external corners at the floral decoration on the interior of the south window. The Temple na Griffin, at its north-west, is a 15th century church named after the griffins sculpted inside it. A Round Tower opposite the west doorway of the Cathedral has now vanished. Franciscan Friary is a 13th century church with a single aisle, 9 lancet windows in the south wall of the aisle and another five in the east wall, round pillars of the nave.

The aisle was built possibly in the 14th century and in the 15th century a south transept with a fine south window was added along with tomb niches and a tower at the western end inserted in the chancel. The cloisters, also from the 15th century, were roofed with stone 'tiles' which channelled the water into the grassy area in the centre of the cloister. The tower was turned into a barracks in Elizabethan times, but was later taken over by the Protestant Bishop who probably once more used the chancel for religious service.

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