Mayo museum recognised for meeting highest standards in museum care

THE achievements of 11 Irish museums, including Knock Museum, have been recognised through the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI), at a special awards ceremony in Kilkenny Castle.

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 Knock Museum, which has maintained its full accreditation, which is the highest level of recognition available through the programme. This achievement reflects the important role the museum plays in capturing the unique story of the Knock Apparition of 1879.

Established in 1973, the museum has welcomed millions through its doors. It places the apparition in the context of life in 1879 Ireland, from living in the thatched house to working in the forge. The large-scale model of Knock village offers a fascinating insight into the historical and social context of the apparition.

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.

Said Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan: "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.”

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 benefit from the programme.