Carlow County Museum

Carlow County Museum (Irish: Músaem Chontae Cheatharlach) is a museum documenting the history of County Carlow. Located on College Street in Carlow town, the building was originally the Presentation Convent; it also houses the County Library and Archives.[1]

Carlow County Museum
Músaem Chontae Cheatharlach
Location within Ireland
Established1973
LocationCarlow, County Carlow, Ireland
Coordinates52.836238°N 6.928174°W / 52.836238; -6.928174
TypeCounty museum
Visitors16,000 per annum
CuratorDermot Mulligan
Websitewww.carlowmuseum.ie
First floor

History

The museum was founded by the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society (CHAS), then the Old Carlow Society, in 1973, and was run by the Society on a voluntary basis until 2002.[2] The collections were housed first in the old Christian Brothers' building, and latterly the former theatre room of the Town Hall from 1979.[2] The museum was opened afresh in the redeveloped convent building in 2012, the last of the buildings to open in a new cultural quarter.[1] It is now operated by Carlow Town Council and Carlow County Council in association with the CHAS.[3]

Contents

The museum consists of four exhibition rooms, housing permanent and temporary displays. It holds a diverse collection which includes objects that cover the archaeological, history, social history and folk life of the local area. It is designated to collect archaeological finds by the National Museum of Ireland.[1] One of the most notable objects on display is the 19th century pulpit from Carlow Cathedral which was included in The Irish Times A History of Ireland in 100 Objects.[4] Other notable objects in the Museum's collections pertain to John Tyndall, Kevin Barry, Captain Myles Kehoe, and the Carlow Sugar Factory.[5]

The museum unveiled a new installation as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, the "Carlow 1916 Commemorative Stained Glass Panel" by Peadar Lamb, depicts a Carlow narrative on the 1916 Rising, featuring some of the key Carlow figures and the role they played in 1916.

Later on view was a special exhibition about St. Willibrord titled: Saint Willibrord, Patron Saint of Luxembourg and his County Carlow Connection.

Opening Hours & Admission

The museum is free to visit, and has full wheelchair access.

In line with government guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, both Carlow County Museum and the Carlow Tourist Office will re-open to the public in 2022 (and until further Notice), between 10am – 12pm from the 4th – 7th January 2022 . Pre-booking for entry to the Museum is still required by phoning the Museum on 059-9131554 or by emailing museum@carlowcoco.ie.

Last admission half hour before closing.

See also

References
  1. "Carlow County Museum". The Heritage Council. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  2. "Plaque marks 40 years of museum". Carlow People. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  3. "Carlow County Museum (General)". Irish Museums Association. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  4. "85. Carlow cathedral pulpit, 1899". A History of Ireland in 100 Objects. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  5. "Carlow County Museum". Barrow River. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
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