Waiting for Bertie...
L –R Nigel Monaghan, Keeper of Natural History Museum, Dr. Marie Bourke,
Director of Education, National Gallery and An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, T.D.
Picture in the National Gallery at the Opening of the IMA Conference.
ISSN 00332-284x
Photo Paula Geraghy
Newsletter
I R I S H M U S E U M S A S S O C I AT I O N
ISSUSE 51
2007
Science Technology and Society
- the role for museums: 2 -4 March 2007
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, formally opened the IMA Conference, on
Saturday, 3 March at 10.30am at the National Gallery of Ireland.
The Conference provided an extensive overview of the relationship
between art, science, technology and the role for museums. It showed how
collections provide an ideal vehicle for demonstrating ongoing debates on
issues surrounding society’s reliance on science and technology. Issues
being addressed include accessing new knowledge and learning, the
dynamic interaction between art and science, the use of new technologies
in promoting everyday life through collections and how we engage with
science now and in the future.
THIS ISSUSE
I’M A Member
Conference Report
2
— Are You?
Flight of The Earls
4
Exhibition Round
up
6
General News
8
Codex Leicester
10
‘Valuing Heritage’
11
Competition
12
Moves and News
13
•J o i n
o n l i n e
www.irishmuseums.org
a t
• Contact us and join our news
service with an email to
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The Irish Museums Association Spring Seminar,
Dublin, 2-4 March 2007
Robert Nicholson
TECH TALK
Somewhat surprisingly, there had never been an IMA spring seminar in Dublin before, unless it
was one of the extranumerary ones hinted at by Paul Duffy when he claimed that this was the
thirtieth such gathering since the annual seminars began in 1980. The grand and glorious
tradition of Members’ Papers filled up the Friday with entertaining glimpses of how Lar Joye
was introducing visitors to the use of lethal weapons and what Spongebob Squarepants was
doing in the Natural History Museum. After a lunch break in which the name Caffeine
Ni Houlihan was coined for Irish coffee, Pat Wallace introduced us to the scheme for the
discreet modernisation of the NHM as it marked its 150th anniversary. The ambience, he
assured us, would remain unchanged, but lights, labels and windows would be improved and a
new extension added to provide lifts, a refreshment area and the hitherto unknown joy of
toilets. Other speakers contributed to the technological theme and the afternoon wound up
with a warm discussion, which strayed into the familiar conflict area between objects and
technology.
A civilised cup of tea in the Davenport did not prepare me for the ambience in the Natural
History Museum, where I circulated, glass in hand, amidst its bestial splendors and conversed
with whichever of the animals had not already been subjected to the taxidermist’s tender
touch. With dramatic éclat Pat Wallace appeared like a divine visitation on a lofty gallery and
pronounced some words of welcome, soon after which
I removed myself to the safety of the suburbs.
The official proceedings began the next morning in the
National Gallery, where Marie Bourke paid tribute to
the combined organisation of the seminar by the
National Museum, the National Gallery and the
Botanic Gardens. The talks got off to a stellar start
with Leo Enright and his guided tour of the wonders of
space exploration, an area so dynamic that the failure
of the news media to give it coverage suggested that
‘editors have lost the ability to be astonished’. Leo had
to be brought to earth prematurely when a spectacular
comet in the form of An Taoiseach blazed into the
room to give us a short but figure-filled lowdown on
Photo Paula Geraghy
the delights of the National Development Plan and its Leo Enright
contribution to cultural development. Leaving us
as
quickly as he had come, he resumed his breathtaking orbit and left us to our lucubration's.
Eoin Gill outlined Ireland’s relationship with science and technology, and Dr John Falk
explained how his research into museum visitors had revealed several distinct categories
ranging from Explorers and Facilitators to Experience Seekers and Spiritual Pilgrims.
The experience seekers reconvened after lunch to engage with science and with Paul Bowers,
who got us as an exercise to draw our idea of the boffins who work behind the scenes - and,
for good measure, the scientists’ idea of the visiting public. The NHM in London had obliged
their scientists to engage with the public by digging them out of the laboratories and involving
them in other aspects of the museum.
Sally Montgomery, the next speaker, instructed her audience to stand up and wiggle their
bottoms, no doubt as a demonstration of how the WS in Belfast unlocked the spirit of discovery
in everyone.
Page 2
NE W S L E T T ER
CONFERENCE ROUND UP
2007
In the post-tea session Nigel Monaghan delivered a laconic history of the National History
Museum’s past and future, from the purchase of a collection in 1792 and a building in 1857 to
the present plans for refurbishment and extension. The public response (‘Don’t Change a
Thing!!’) was taken as applying to the museum’s overall appearance - the taxonomic layout,
the dense exhibition, minimal interpretation and exciting
sense of discovery - but not to what was really needed: roof
repairs, improvements to lighting, safety and physical
access, the cleaning of dirty exhibits and the replacement of
those which had faded or deteriorated. Jonathan Bell looked
at the display of technical in relation to their operation and
use . The session ended with a discussion and with thanks to
Photo Paula Geraghy
all the speakers, to the conference’s many sponsors and to
the organisation team. Urged by Paul Doyle to behave responsibly at dinner, we went to the
atrium to be entertained by a flute quartet and a glass of wine. Your correspondent had the
opportunity to observe the ebb and flow of beards in the membership and to count the quantity
of men’s cord jackets (an impressive five). Dinner duly took place in the Davenport Hotel and
proceeded all the way from the smoked salmon starter to the cod and the choux pastry puffs
without the impertinence of a speech. The principal entertainment (apart from Brian Crowley’s
red shoes) was the total lunar eclipse, which drew a crowd of craning curators to congregate
outside the hotel in observation of the celestial phenomenon, boldly visible in a cloudless sky.
Back downstairs music and dancing had started and I felt it prudent to withdraw for the night.
Those spiritual pilgrims who survived into Sunday experienced not only bucketing rain but also
the Association’s AGM. For a final fling there was a trip to the Botanic Gardens and a visit to
the Herbarium with Peter Wyse Jackson and his staff - and Forbidden Fruit in a jar.
IMA AGM
The following are the 2007
IMA Board of Directors as
elected at the AGM on the 4th
March in the Davenport Hotel,
Dublin 2007:
Nigel Monaghan, Paul Doyle,
Brian Crowley, Caroline Carr,
Kieran Burns, Margaret Edwards,
Dr. Marie Bourke, Karin Stierle,
Ken Langan, Ciara McDonnell,
Nora Hickey, Dr Jim McGreevy,
Roisin Doherty, Eithne Verling,
Your Voice
The Editorial team welcomes your
letters, comments, suggestions and
articles for future issues of the
newsletter. Please forward them to
Newsletter
Irish Museums Association
89 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Tel : 01 663 3579
Email: [email protected]
Page 3
Flight of The Earls—A Brief History
Rathmullan, Co Donegal witnessed a key event in Irish history - the
end of the old Gaelic order. In 1607 a small ship left for Spain. On
board were the chieftains of some of the leading Gaelic families of
Ulster, including the O'Donnell's and the O'Neill's. They could not live
with the new English order sought refuge with England's main enemy,
Spain , with the hope either of making a new life for themselves, or of
living to fight another day.
In one final attempt by the old order to reverse the tide of English
power a decade or so earlier, an army was organised by Hugh O'Neill, chief of Tir Eoghain,
and Red Hugh O'Donnell, began a series of battles with the English which came to be
known as the Nine Years War. After strenuous efforts on their part, the Gaelic chieftains
secured a promise of support from the leading continental power of the day, Spain. To meet
up with the Spanish expeditionary force, however, O'Neill's and O'Donnell's force had to
march the length of the country to Kinsale on the south coast. There they fought and lost
the landmark Battle of Kinsale, which brought down the curtain on a political and cultural
system. Hugh made his way to Spain to try to inject new life into the alliance but died in the
Castle of Simanacas a little over a year after Kinsale. He was succeeded as chieftain by his
brother Rory.
The division between Gaelic lords and English government was not as clear-cut as one
might imagine. Dublin Castle and its local representatives, such as Sir Henry Docwra in
Derry, engaged in political as well as military means to further their objectives. Thus they
offered Gaelic lords titles in return for undertakings to recognise English rule Rory O'Donnell accepted the title of Earl of Tyrconnell in 1603 - and also tried to gain the
support of middle ranking lords, to lessen the sway of chieftains like the O'Donnell's. Docwra
succeeded, for example, in having Cahir O'Doherty replace his father as lord of the
Dohertys against Red Hugh's candidate; the price was a reduced Inishowen and
Cahir's dependence on Docwra.
In 1601, the remaining Gaelic chieftains recognised that
English rule over the country was a fact but were unable to
accept it, decided to leave Ireland for the continent.
O'Donnell and O'Neill, and members of other leading
families from Ulster and the northern half of the country,
including Maguire's and Plunketts, in all over one hundred
people, took ship in Rathmullan. This was the so called
'Flight of the Earls'. In truth the power of these chieftains
had been broken, even before Kinsale, and their ability to
provide leadership and a measure of prosperity for their
people had gone before then. They quickly disappeared
from history - Rory dying in Rome in 1608 and Hugh O'Neill
in 1616.
Page 4
NE W S L E T T ER
Commemorations
2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the
Flight of the Earls, a pivotal moment in Irish
history, marking the end of an ancient Gaelic
orders.
This "Flight" made way for events such as the
Plantation of Ulster. It was also a key event in
the establishment of the Irish Diaspora around
the world. Descendants of those who took part
in the event established themselves as leading
lights in many different fields of activity in their
adopted countries and they do so to this day.
To mark this Donegal County Council Cultural
© An Post
Services Division and Derry City Council Heritage
An Post Launch
and Museum Service are co-ordinating a series of
events including Lectures, Major Exhibition and a
Flight of the Earls Stamps
An
Post has launched 2 stamps to
Travelling Exhibition and Education and Events
Programme throughout Donegal and the NW .The commemorate the 400 year anniversary of
the Flight of the Earls.
Flagship Flight of the Earls exhibition opens in
Donegal County Museum on the 12th September.
Donegal artist, Sean O’Brogain, designed
the stamps. The stamps feature Hugh
For further Information visit www.flightoftheearls.ie
O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O'Donnell,
Page 5
Exhibition Roundup
Farming in Mid-Antrim 1900 – 1950 Mid-Antrim Museums ServiceTouring Exhibition,Ballymena
Museum until 31 August. Admission Free Contact : Ballymena Museum, 3 Wellington Court,
Ballymena, Co Antrim T: 048 2564 2166
Japanese Exhibition 27th August- 19th October 2007 Bagenals Castle
A unique collection of Japanese artefacts from the Ulster Museum. Dolls Story 20th November 200711th January 2008—Childhood memories inspired by a collection of dolls from the Ulster Museum. For
more information contact +44 (0)28 3031 3170 Email: [email protected] or
www.bagenalscastle.com [email protected]
“ Sea Stallion - Dublin's Viking Warship comes home"
It is 1200 years since the Vikings came to Ireland, sailing in their infamous
warships. Now the National Museum of Ireland is uniting with the Viking
Ship Museum, Roskilde, Denmark to bring them back!
This summer the National Museum will play lead host to the arrival of the
Sea Stallion to Dublin in mid August. An exhibition to track the voyage
will open at the end of June at Collins Barracks and the Sea Stallion will
arrive in August to a week of activities and events at Custom House Dock and at the National Museum
of Ireland, Collins Barracks. The Sea Stallion will be on public view at Collins Barracks for the winter
months before sailing back to Denmark. Tel: +353 1 6777444 Tel LoCall: 1890 687 386 Email: [email protected]
The Great Book of Gaelic 4 August - 29 September 2007 Enniskillng Castle,
An international celebration of contemporary Celtic culture. This exhibition brings together the work of
poets, visual artists and calligraphers from Scotland and Ireland. The exhibition features work from
almost every century from the 6th to the 21st and includes the earliest Gaelic poetry in existence.
Ireland and Scotland share a mythology, a rich music tradition, three languages and some significant
history. The Gaelic language remains the most profound of many links between both countries. The
Leabhar Mòr – The Great Book of Gaelic renews and celebrates that ancient connection through a
stunning range of 21st century artworks.
This project has been originated by the Gaelic Arts Agency and developed in partnership with Iomairt
Cholm Cille – Columba Initiative. Contact Enniskillng Castle, Co Fermanagh 028 6632 5000 from NI or
048 6632 5000 from ROI .
C)artography: Map-Making as Artform Sept - Nov 2007 Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
Maps often conceal as much as they reveal, and this exhibition sets out to examine the history and use
of map-making. Map-making in Ireland begins in the late Medieval or early Modern period and many of
the earliest maps were made for military purposes. Many contemporary artists, including Stephen
Brandes and Kathy Prendergast, incorporate map-making techniques into their practice and draw
inspiration from maps made in previous centuries. This exhibition will bring together maps of Ireland
from several centuries, as well as works of art inspired by mapmaking and will be accompanied by a
catalogue illustrating the works in the exhibition.
Contact Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Emmet Place Cork,
E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +353 (0)21 4907855
Page 6
NE W S L E T T ER
Exhibition Roundup
Masquerade and Spectacle
The Circus and the Travelling Fair in the work of Jack B.Yeats 8 JUL- 11 NOV
Masquerade and Spectacle in the National Gallery commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of
Jack B. Yeats, one of Ireland's most acclaimed modern artists. This exhibition of some 20 paintings,
drawn mainly from private collections, focuses on the theme of the circus and the traveling fair in the
work of Jack B.Yeats. This subject was crucial to the development of his oeuvre. From his earliest
years Yeats had a fascination with such theatrical spectacles, as is evident from his sketchbooks and
early pirate plays. The display will include a number of such items from the Gallery's Yeats Archive.
Yeats Museum (Beit Wing). National Gallery , Dublin Admission free T+353 (01) 6615133
OPEN e v+ a Irish Award Winners Mon 9 July – Sat 28 July
Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny . OPEN e v+ a 2007 is Ireland’s
pre-eminent annual exhibition of contemporary art. Its program of
events integrates local, national, and international audiences in a
communal celebration of contemporary art and culture. Selected this
year
by New York-based independent curator Klaus Ottmann, this
Proclamation
exhibition showcases the Irish Award winners including, Tony Gun© National
Museum
Ireland
ning,
Eithna
Joyce, of
Orla
Keeshan and Suzannah Vaughan. The exhibition also features a special ‘offsite’ nstallation by American artist, Aura
Rosenberg in a number of locations in Letterkenny. Mon – Fri 10am –
4.30pm, Sat 1pm – 4.30pm FREE Info +353 (0)74 91 24613 E: [email protected]
'Spymaster' Kerry County Museum
Tells the story of William Melville, MI5's first spymaster. A striking character who led an action-packed
life, Melville was also the inspiration for the 'M' character in Ian Fleming's novels. In an extraordinary
life of adventure and intrigue Melville rubbed shoulders with Fenian bombers, anarchist assassins,
Jack the Ripper, kings, queens, German spies, and Harry Houdini.
The exhibition relates how Melville, from Sneem in Co Kerry, emigrated to London in the 1870s and
joined the Metropolitan Police. He become head of Scotland Yard's Special Branch and one of the
most famous detectives of the age. In 1903 at the height of his fame, and he was then recruited by the
War Office and given the job of spymaster. Known as 'M' he became one of the founders of MI5.
Contact Kerry County Museum, Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny St., Tralee, Co. Kerry. Telephone: +353 (0)66 - 712 7777
The Ulster Museum is reaching out
The Museum closed to the public in October 2006 in preparation for major redevelopment and is
scheduled to re-open in Spring 2009.
Treasures of the North: Irish Paintings from the Ulster Museum, a major exhibition of 60 works
from the Museum's Irish art collection is on display in the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin until 16
September 2007.
Five panel displays illustrating aspects of the Museum’s collections are also available in libraries
throughout Northern Ireland. To accompany these displays, Museum staff are providing a number of
informal talks and handling sessions, ranging from minibeasts and fossils to ceramics and prehistoric
pots. Full details of the Museum's outreach activities, progress of the redevelopment and some new
e-learning programmes can be found on the website at www.ulstermuseum.org.uk.
Page 7
General News
Tower Museum Officially Reopens
The award winning Tower Museum, located within the city’s
historic walls, was formally re-opened on Friday 18th May,
International Museums Day. Throughout the year the museum
also plays host to a range of other temporary exhibitions. The
Story of Derry exhibition has been fitted with new display
cases, enhanced visitor orientation and a range of updated
L-R Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure, Mr
audiovisuals. Alongside these improvements there are new
Edwin Poots and the Mayor Councillor Helen
displays dealing with the 20th century city and taking the
Quigley . © Derry City Council
Story of Derry up to the 21st century. The Story of Derry
exhibition uses a wide range of techniques and artefacts to narrate the story from monastic
times, Plantation, Siege of Derry, through to the growth of Derry during the 18th and 19th
centuries. Life during the 20th century is also outlined, in particular the build up to the Civil
Rights Movement and the impact of the Troubles on the people living here. The exhibition
ends with a glimpse of where the city is today.
An Armada shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera narrates the story of La Trinidad Valencera,
one of the largest ships in the Armada Fleet. In 1588 it foundered in Kinnagoe Bay in Co.
Donegal and was discovered in 1971. The exhibition consists of exciting artefacts on loan from
the Ulster Museum, recovered from the ship, which includes cannons, textiles, goblets, coins
and shoes along with many other items. Innovative exhibition design and layout encourage a
sense of exploration and discovery. Audio guides of the exhibition are available in a choice of
six languages.
For further information contact Tower Museum – 028 7137 2411
New minister Appointed
Annual Lecture 2007
Professor Jack Lohman, Director of the
Museum of London, will be giving the
Irish Museums Association Annual
Lecture on the theme - The Museum
of London: A Museum for Dublin?,
on Thursday 22 November at 6.30pm
in the seminar room of the National
Library of Ireland.
Page 8
NE W S L E T T ER
Séamus Brennan was appointed
Minister for Arts, Sport and
Tourism on 14 June 2007.
The Department
mission
statement is: "to contribute to
the
economic, social and
cultural progress of Irish society
and the enrichment of its quality
of life through promoting
sustainable tourism; encouraging excellence in
sporting and artistic achievement; facilitating
greater access to sport and the arts; and
preservation of our cultural inheritance".
General News
Cultural Quarter Flagship Project for Sligo
New museum, extended and re-furbished Model & Niland Gallery, and a new civic space
Sligo County Council is advancing plans for the development of a new cultural quarter for
Sligo, which will include a new museum, and extended and refurbished Model & Niland
Gallery. A new civic space will host outside performances and will be linked to the city and the
river through new pedestrian walkways.The museum will be a landmark building close to the
historic Green Fort and will form a prominent feature within the city. The two storied building
will have an elevated section looking out over the city and harbour.
The museum will house and present innovative and imaginative exhibitions based on the
landscape of the Northwest. Project director Bartley Gavin said work will start on the first
phase in November with the new Sligo Museum and the extended Niland Gallery expected to
open by Autumn 2009.‘We expect the development of cultural facilities to be a driving force in
the success of the city,’ said Mr. Gavin,Project director.
Bagenal's Castle
Bagenal’s Castle located in Newry , Co Down, is a 16th century house and adjoining 19th
Century warehouse, which has been sympathetically restored to house the Newry & Mourne
Museum and the local Tourist Information Centre.
During restoration work on the Castle many original features were uncovered including
fireplaces, gun loops and a bread oven. These have been interpreted for the visitor and
drawings were commissioned to illustrate how the various living quarters of the castle would
have functioned in the 16th century. One of the key exhibitions, ‘A Border Town’s Experience
of the 20th Century’, will examine local attitudes to major political and economic events of the
20th century. Contact Bagenal's Castle, Bagenal's Castle Castle Street, Newry, County Down,
BT34 2DATelephone: +44 (0)28 3031 3170 Email: [email protected]
Page 9
'Leonardo: the Codex Leicester . . . Reflections on Water and the Moon'
The Codex Leicester, an autograph manuscript by Leonardo da
Vinci (1452-1519) containing his observations on the nature and
properties of water as well as other aspects of science and
technology, is one of the most famous and important of Leonardo’s
scientific notebooks. Composed circa 1508-1510 and consisting of
eighteen loose double sheets in which Leonardo illustrated and
wrote down ideas and observations in his distinctive mirror script,
the manuscript is a lively record of the thoughts of the great Italian
Renaissance artist and scientist.
It took the Chester Beatty four years to arrange the borrowing of
this manuscript, which travels abroad just once a year. It is the only
da Vinci notebook still in private hands, having been bought by Bill Gates in 1994 for a
staggering $30.8m (although this is small change for the Microsoft chairman, whose wealth is
estimated at $56bn).
The notebook includes practical inventions,
such as designs for strengthening bridges and
for flood control, a number of which were used
in Leonardo’s time and are still in use today.
The Codex Leicester also contributes to a
deeper understanding of Leonardo’s art, in
that the Mona Lisa and other late paintings
offer a visual synthesis of the artist’s scientific
knowledge as summed up in the Codex
The Chester Beatty Library will display the
Codex in an historical context, together with
borrowed works and manuscripts from the Library’s own holdings. A fully illustrated catalogue
will accompany the exhibition.
The Codex travels to no more than one country every year and will be displayed only at the
Chester Beatty Library during its stay in Ireland.
Admission to this exhibition is free but booking is essential. For the widest choice of
dates and times, we strongly recommend that you book online. A limited number of
tickets will be available to book by telephone 01 4070769 from 14 May between 10am
and 12noon, Mon-Fri, and also for collection at the Library daily from 1 June. The
exhibition runs from 13 June to 12 August at the Chester Beatty Library.
To book free tickets: http://www.cbl.ie/codex/register.aspx
Page 10
NE W S L E T T ER
Valuing Heritage by Valuing Memories
The Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland (RNNI has recently been awarded a three year
Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £221,000 for a Project which will develop opportunities for
people of all ages to recall, preserve and celebrate memories about their own life experience.
This collaborative Project is being planned and managed in conjunction with local and national
museums in Craigavon, Derry, Newry & Mourne and the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh.
The Project seeks to engage new and diverse audiences in heritage work through the gateway
of reminiscence and linked creative activities. This will be done by building the capacity of
museum and other staff groups in education, health and social care facilities, community
agencies and volunteers to undertake skilled reminiscence and life review work.
Two part-time reminiscence workers are to be appointed. Using the local museums as hubs for
outreach, the Project aims to collect memorabilia, establish loan box services, provide training
and assist people, both staff and volunteers, to undertake individual and group reminiscence
work.
The Project is evidence of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s commitment to the widest interpretation
of safeguarding heritage and to its recognition that for further information enquiries, please
contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Page 11
Competition
One Touch Ireland provide guests and visitors information on:
Bars
· Restaurants
· Museums
· Activities
Entertainment & much more.
Our Info Points attractions to audience, looking for local information.
Contact us today for more information
Web: www.onetouchireland.com
Email: [email protected]
Declan Brennan, Managing Director, OneTouch Ireland Ltd.
Mobile: 087 9529101 Central Office: 074 9541264
OneTouch Ireland has kindly sponsored our Competition prize .
The winning answer will win a bespoke touch screen promotion, which will be
uploaded to all OneTouch Ireland Info Points nationwide.
The 'promotion' includes 3 screens, and will promote all aspects of the winning
business or organisation.
The prize is valued at €595.00. No Cash alternative.
To win this prize, just answer this easy question (normal competition rules
apply);
Q. How old is the Irish Museums Association this year?
Send your answer to Competition , Irish Museums Association, c/o 89 Merrion
Square, Dublin 2
An accountant visited the Natural
History museum. While standing
near the dinosaur he said to his
neighbour: "This dinosaur is two
billion years and ten months old".
"Where did you get this exact
information?"
"I was here ten months ago, and
the guide told me that the
dinosaur is two billion years old."
Page 12
NE W S L E T T ER
Moves and news
New Appointment at Country Life
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life in Castlebar
has a new Manager/Keeper after nearly three years of being
without following the return to Dublin of the first post-holder,
Paul Doyle. He is Tony Candon, who had been Curator of
Museums with Derry City Council's Heritage and Museum
Service. Tony came to Derry to fill in for the permanent
Curator, Harriet Purkis, who has now taken up a new
position in Donegal. Prior to that, he had been Heritage and
Museum Development Officer for Omagh District Council
following the closure of the Ulster History Park outside
Omagh which he had developed and managed.
Director of Cultural Policy and Arts Management
Pat Cooke has had over twenty years experience working for
Ireland’s state heritage service before taking over as Director of
the MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management at UCD in 2006.
As a heritage sector manager, he pioneered the use of
museums and historic properties in Ireland as sites for major art
projects. His management experience in the heritage field
included producing cultural and historical
exhibitions and
audio-visual presentations. He is a former Chairperson of the
Irish Museums Association, and worked as advisor to the Irish
Heritage Council in developing its Accreditation programme for
Irish museums.
Clare Museum Exhibition on the Net
An exhibition on Clareman Dr Brendan O’Regan, the man whose vision is responsible for
Shannon Airport, Airport Duty Free, Bunratty Castle and the Irish Coffee was the focus of this
years winter exhibition at Clare Museum which ran from early February until the end of April.
Entitled “Empowering the People”, the display was opened by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and
was attended by Dr O’Regan and a large number of his former colleagues. The exhibition
featured objects, photographs and documents relating to Dr O’Regan, including his Freedom
of Limerick parchment and a CBE awarded to him by Queen Elizabeth II for his role in
establishing Co-operation North (now Co-operation Ireland).
The exhibition has now moved on to Shannon branch library where it will be on display for the
summer, but an electronic version of the text panels from the exhibition, which include many
photographs of Shannon in the early days, are on permanent display on the Clare Museum
website. This cyber version joins the text panels from previous exhibitions on Dr Patrick
Hillery’s presidency and the Clare Embroidery School in the Projects section of the museum
website at: http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/claremuseum/projects/community.htm
Page 13
The Irish Museums Association is a voluntary, not for profit
organisation
dedicated
to
promoting
the
interests
of
museums and those who work in them throughout Ireland,
both north and south. The IMA organises an annual seminar
in February and publishes several newsletters and the
IRISH MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION
journal Museum Ireland each year. The Association also
organises lectures and special events in collaboration with
Administrator
other museum-related
Irish Museums Association
bodies. We welcome as members
anyone working in, or with an interest in, Irish museums.
89 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Our Aims Are:
Tel : 01 663 3579
Email: [email protected]
To promote professional practice in museum management,
collections care and visitor services.
www.irishmuseums.org
To provide a platform for anyone interested in Irish museums
Next Newsletter Deadline
to provoke debate on museum ideas.
1 September 2007
In co-operation with other professional bodies and central
IMA Newsletter issue 51 compiled
by
and local government, to achieve a sustainable level of
museum provision and operation in Ireland.
Margaret Edwards and Caroline
ADVERTS WELCOME
The annual journal of the IMA
is Museum Ireland, published
in October/November each
year, containing information,
reviews, articles and critical
discussion pieces on issues of
interest or
concern to those
working in Irish museums. It is
the only such
publication in
Ireland and is read by museum
professionals country-wide.
Advertising in this journal
presents a unique opportunity
for you to promote your
services or products to the
museum/heritage sector in
Ireland .
Quarter page - €100
Half page - €175·
Full page - €350
Inside front cover €450
Inside back cover €400
The
Irish
Museums
Association
Newsletter,
published twice a year,
contains short articles, reviews
and information about
exhibitions and activities within
the sector and includes job
opportunities.
Newsletter advertising
rates
·
Quarter page - €75
·
Half page - €150
·
Full page - €300
Please note that these rates
are for an advertisement in 3
Newsletters
Contact IMA
89 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Tel : 01 663 3579
Email: [email protected]
The IMA cannot deliver all that
it does without YOUR support.
At least join the IMA, there is an
application form and
current
rates on our website
www.irishmuseums.org
The Department of Arts, Sport
and Tourism has been
generous in its support for the
IMA in 2007
The IMA would like to thank
The Heritage Council for its
continued support.