Latest news with #MuseumStandardsProgrammeforIreland
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
The Model achieves Heritage Council accreditation for its outstanding collection care and public engagement
MSPI is an accreditation programme that supports museums and cultural heritage collections across Ireland to achieve and maintain the highest standards in how they are managed, how they care for their collections, and how they engage with the public. It supports both large and small institutions – from volunteer-run local museums to national cultural institutions – to build strong foundations in governance, collection care, exhibitions, education and visitor services. Of particular note is The Model - Home of The Niland Collection, which has achieved Full Accreditation for the first time – the highest level of recognition available through the programme. The museum has demonstrated diligence for its outstanding collection care and public engagement, especially in how it brings important Irish art to life for both local and national audiences. Since it began in 2006 with just a handful of participants, MSPI has grown into a nationwide programme supporting nearly 70 museum sites. Museums work over a number of years to meet 32 professional standards and are assessed through a rigorous, independent process. This year, 11 museums are being recognised for achieving accreditation through the MSPI programme. Their hard work and dedication highlight the importance of protecting and sharing Ireland's rich heritage. Each museum has undergone a detailed assessment to show how they meet the required standards and how they serve their communities, visitors, and collections. Launching the ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O Sullivan TD, said: 'It is an honour for me to open today's Museum Standards Programme for Ireland accreditation awards ceremony and to celebrate the incredible impact that our museums, galleries and historic objects and places make across the country. "The diligent care and attention demonstrated by the 11 accredited museums to protect our heritage, and the interpretation they have curated to enable our heritage to be better and more easily understood, is commendable. The achievements of these museums prove that we can hold our heads high with the best in the world, confident that we are professional, thorough, knowledgeable and ambitious for our cultural heritage institutions.' Addressing the accredited museums today Chair of the Heritage Council, Martina Moloney, said: 'Museums and cultural heritage collections play a profound role in our national conversation. Cultural heritage collections and the audiences they serve are a fundamental focus of MSPI and professional standards are a vehicle through which we can insure these values. "The work done by our accredited museums is invaluable in upholding these standards. The Heritage Council will continue to do everything it can to create the conditions for cultural heritage collections, museums, galleries and heritage sites to evolve and thrive.' Meanwhile, CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, added: 'I would like to commend all the accredited museums in 2025 for the focus they demonstrate, day in and day out, on engaging communities with societal issues, both contemporary and historical, via their collections and organisations. We appreciate the work that these museums do and the profound capacity for impact that our museums and cultural heritage organisations represent. On behalf of the Heritage Council, I want to congratulate to all 11 organisations receiving their accreditation today.' Looking ahead, the Heritage Council is committed to ensuring that MSPI continues to meet the evolving needs of the museum sector. Over the next 12 months, the programme will undergo a series of improvements, including updating the standards to reflect contemporary best practices, modernising the programme's operations to improve communication and support, and streamlining the application process to allow even more museums across Ireland to benefit from the programme.
Irish Independent
07-06-2025
- Irish Independent
New chapter at one of Cork's landmark visitor attractions following completion of expansive conservation works
Fota House & Gardens one of Ireland's most treasured historic estates now offers an even more memorable visitor experience for the summer and autumn seasons. A major programme of conservation and restoration has just been completed, to the value of €2.2m funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage over a four year period. The works included structural roof repairs, revitalisation of the house's Regency interiors, and the conservation of the McCarthy 19th-century landscape art collection. This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing enhancement of the estate as a landmark visitor attraction in East Cork. The property's extensive gardens are now also in bloom and they have a newly enhanced historic house tour. Fota House & Gardens also has a busy programme of events planned for the months ahead which include art exhibitions, courses, and outdoor movie screenings. Set within a 200-year-old estate, Fota House continues to reveal its fascinating stories under the stewardship of the Irish Heritage Trust, an independent non-profit organisation which acquired the property in 2007. Visitors are invited to explore the splendidly conserved 19th-century mansion, the finest example of Regency architecture in Ireland, complete with vibrant working gardens and a renowned arboretum, alongside an exciting calendar of seasonal events. Guided tours bring the house's layered history to life, exploring the legacy of the Smith-Barry family who lived at Fota for over 175 years and the many staff who worked on the estate over generations. Visitors journey through more than seventy rooms, from grand neoclassical reception halls to nurseries, kitchens, and below-stairs quarters that offer a rare insight into domestic life of the time. Bryan Murphy, Irish Heritage Trust General Manager at Fota House & Gardens said: 'In recent years, we've completed major conservation works—from restoring the main roof and Regency interiors to conserving the McCarthy 19th-century landscape art collection. These projects protect Fota's rich heritage while enhancing the visitor experience.' Beyond the house itself, visitors can relax with a coffee or lunch in 'The Food Club' café or browse the beautiful gift shop featuring works by local artists and craftspeople. The surrounding gardens and nationally important arboretum provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy the changing seasons, with rare botanical species and historic gardening practices nurtured through the Irish Heritage Trust's thriving volunteering programme. The restored Victorian Working Garden and glasshouses, once in decline, now flourish once again. Fota House also holds Museum Accreditation by the Heritage Council's Museum Standards Programme for Ireland, recognising the exceptional collection care delivered by the Irish Heritage Trust. From drawing rooms to servant corridors, every corner tells a story—including the celebrated landscape art collection by Ashford, Fisher and Roberts displayed in its original 19th-century setting. Guided tours last approximately one hour and run daily at 12pm and 2pm from mid-March to the end of September, with an additional 3:30pm tour in July and August. While pre-booking is not always essential, visitors are encouraged to book in advance to secure preferred times. For more information on visiting hours, visit
