Funding announced for historic exhibitions at two County Mayo museums

Irish Independent

5 days ago

The RMES aims to encourage greater access to museums and promote them as tourist resources. Seventeen projects across Ireland will benefit from the scheme, which has a total funding allocation of €192,193 for 2025.
The Irish Independent spoke to Yvonne Corcoran-Loftus, manager of the Jackie Clarke Collection, who said the museum was 'thrilled to receive the funding,' calling it 'a real boost for the team and a fantastic opportunity for the Jackie Clarke Collection.'
The collection was accumulated by the late Jackie Clarke (1927–2000), a local fishmonger with a deep passion for Irish history and politics. A genius collector, Mr Clarke wished for the archive to be donated to the people of Ballina. His wife fulfilled that wish in 2005, gifting the collection to Mayo County Council. In 2013, it was made publicly accessible in the restored old Provincial Bank on Pearse Street.
The star of the Jackie Clarke collection is an original copy of the 1916 Irish Proclamation, stored inside of an original bank vault in the museum. Other artefacts include a handwritten letter from Michael Collins, a cockade badge worn by Theobald Wolfe Tone, and an original copy of the 1665 issue of the Oxford Gazette Newspaper
The RMES funding will go towards 'Ireland's Memory Room: Restoration Project'. The main exhibition in the museum, it houses an exceptional collection of artefacts, primarily original historical documents covering major events from the 1600s to the 1900s.
'It is a truly remarkable collection, but it needs to be presented in a way that allows visitors to fully engage with its depth and significance,' said Yvonne. 'For those with a background in Irish history, it is undoubtedly fascinating, but for the average visitor, it can feel overwhelming.'
Joining the Jackie Clarke Collection only last year, Yvonne approached the museum with a fresh perspective. 'One of the first things that struck me about Ireland's Memory Room was that, while the content is truly exceptional, the room itself didn't have a natural flow'.
The Restoration Project involves a full redesign and layout of the room, with a focus on creating a visually engaging and accessible exhibition. It includes the design and production of four A3 interpretive panels, one case panel (800mm x 600mm), and four wall panels (800mm x 1200mm), as well as the upgrade of five existing display cases and the addition of 20-25 interpretive labels in both English and Irish.
'This project directly aligns with the aims of the RMES, which is designed to enhance access to museums as key cultural and tourist resources,' Yvonne explained. 'By improving the quality, accessibility, and storytelling of this permanent exhibition, we'll provide a more enriched experience for local audiences and strengthen our appeal to cultural tourists.'
'Museums should be inclusive, welcoming spaces that allow everyone, regardless of background, to connect meaningfully with history. That's our goal here at the Jackie Clarke Collection,
'Getting the maximum award of €15,000 feels like a strong endorsement of the work we are doing and the potential of Ireland's Memory Room to become something truly special.'
Yvonne expressed her thanks to Anne Marie Forbes, who works closely with the local community, saying they have been 'amazing at supporting the collection.' She also extended her thanks to those who support the museum behind the scenes, Austin Vaughan, County Librarian; Joanne Greham, Director of Services at Mayo County Council; Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council; and all the museum staff.
Education remains a central pillar of the museum's mission. In addition to running on-site workshops for school groups, Education Officer Celene Brennan leads an outreach programme that brings the museum experience directly to schools unable to visit Ballina.
'We recognised that not all schools can travel to Ballina due to rising transport costs or limited funding, so we brought the museum to them. Our Outreach Programme is not just about access, it's about impact,' said Yvonne.
The Knock Shrine Museum also welcomed funding through the RMES. Here it will be used for the professional conservation of a Processional Statue of Our Lady of Knock, to make it accessible to the public in a special exhibition.
'The funding enables us to complete this very worthwhile conservation project,' explained Robert Flatley, the collections care officer at Knock Museum. 'It also gives us the opportunity to complete an extra exhibition project this year.'
The plaster statue that is being conserved was the Rosary Processional Statue at Knock Shrine for many years and is cherished by the Cairde Mhuire volunteer group, as well as visiting pilgrims and visitors to Knock Shrine.
Robert explained why the restoration is needed: 'When the statue was mounted on a mechanised trolley for procession, it became too tall to exit the Basilica of Our Lady Queen of Ireland. The Knock Shrine Society decided to remove a section at the base. It was cut just above the feet with a concrete saw, and there was also a trial cut just below the feet.'
The RMES funding will be used to reconnect the feet to the body of the statue and professionally fill the trial cut. The statue will then be treated with remedial works, where the conservator will survey for any further flaws and also perform a complete conservation clean-up of the item.
Sculptor conservator Jason Ellis, who has previously worked with the museum, will carry out the work.
In regards to the exhibition launch Robert said: 'We hope to launch the exhibition with a talk by John Hynes, head of the Cairde Mhuire, the volunteer group who have helped pilgrimages in Knock since 1935. This particular statue is very close to John's heart. He initially approached us about it in 2023 to see if it could be restored.'
He added: 'We are delighted with, and thankful to the department for approving the funding. It has given us the chance to move further ahead with our long-term exhibition plans this year.'
The Knock Museum tells the story of the Knock Apparition in August 1879. Visitors can read the testimonies of the 15 official witnesses all while placing the story of the Apparition in the context of life in rural Ireland at that time. The museum covers 140 years of history and displays a life-sized thatched cottage which is a replica of the home where five of the witnesses lived.
The museum's 'Memories of Knock' initiative invites visitors to share their personal reflections and stories of faith. A tradition that dates back to soon after the Apparition happened, where people began writing letters to Archdeacon Cavanagh telling him of their visits to Knock. The letters give an insight into the social history of Ireland at the time and can be viewed in the museum. Today, visitors are able to write down their thoughts and memories of Knock.
'People get great pleasure in writing down their thoughts, memories, and personal stories,' said Robert. 'From a legacy perspective, they are a wonderful gift to future generations.'
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, announced the RMES funding and said,
'It gives me great pleasure to announce this funding of over €190,000 for our local and regional museums. My department's commitment to supporting projects under this scheme has allowed cultural bodies to enhance their exhibitions and to improve the cultural offering to the communities they serve,
'These institutions are an extremely important resource for accessing culture and heritage in towns and villages across the country and contribute to a sense of place and community. These museums help to preserve and promote our cultural heritage and I send my best wishes for their continued success."