Objects from Mayo feature in Changing Ireland Galleries at Collins Barracks
THE Changing Ireland Galleries was officially launched at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks on Wednesday, marking the biggest expansion of public galleries at the National Museum of Ireland in over two decades. Highlights include key objects from Co. Mayo, which feature prominently throughout the exhibition.
With capital funding from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport’s Decade of Centenaries Programme, and working in partnership with the Office of Public Works, the new galleries open following a full refurbishment of a part of Collins Barracks that had been untouched since the departure of the Defence Forces almost 30 years ago.
The Changing Ireland Galleries feature hundreds of political, social and cultural objects from the museum’s 20th and 21st century collections - extraordinary and everyday artefacts that have borne witness to the last 150 years. On entering the galleries, visitors are invited to reflect on the objects and consider the question “Cad Is Ann Éire Dar Leat?” – “What Is Ireland to You?”
Objects from Co. Mayo include part of a silver-plated tea set gifted to Mary Staunton when she was legally obliged to resign due to the Irish Marriage Bar in 1972 - a symbol of the gendered employment restrictions of the era, with deep personal significance as Staunton lived in Ballydavock and later Curragh, Castlebar. Mary’s daughter, Karen Hoban, also from Westport, was present at the opening of the display.
Other featured objects include the suit worn by Mary Robinson for her 1990 presidential inauguration, designed by Louise Kennedy; a Crolly Doll with its original box made by Gaeltarra Éireann in the early 1960s; a teddy bear by Erris Bears, also a Gaeltarra Éireann brand, c.1953, produced in the factory at Elly Bay; and a wooden teacher’s cane from Boradruma, Co. Mayo, mid-20th century. Each object representing aspects of daily life, education, and craftsmanship in the county.
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Two-piece skirt suit, designed by Louise Kennedy, and worn by Mary Robinson when she was inaugurated as the 7th President of Ireland in December 1990, the first woman to hold this office. Photo by National Museum of IrelandImage 2 of 5
‘Ted’ – a large teddy bear with golden mohair fur over a body of stuffed wood wool, black and amber glass eyes and black stitched mouth and nose. Ted is an Erris Bear, made in the Gaeltarra Eireann factory in Elly Bay, Co. Mayo. Photo by National Museum of IrelandImage 3 of 5
Cane of the typed used for discipline by teachers up to the mid 20th century. F:2007.104 Photo by National Museum of IrelandImage 4 of 5
Teapot, silver, floral motif engraved on tapering edge. Part of the silver tea set given as a wedding gift to Mary Staunton from her colleagues in Mayo County Council on the occasion of her wedding and subsequent marriage bar from work Photo by National Museum of IrelandImage 5 of 5
A 'Crolly' doll. Mould made plastic doll with movable arms and legs, short blonde nylon hair and blue moving eyes. The doll is dressed in a blue and white striped cotton dress, white cotton knickers, white ankle socks and pale blue plastic shoes. Photo by National Museum of IrelandLead curator of the Changing Ireland Galleries, Brenda Malone, said: “The galleries have been designed to allow for the regular rotation of objects, which helps us to preserve these important artefacts for future generations while ensuring the galleries remain dynamic and continually offer fresh perspectives on modern Ireland’s history. The galleries also embrace sensory experiences, using music, visuals, and immersive audiovisual installations to add context, mood, and texture to the display.”
The Changing Ireland Galleries at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks is now open. Admission is free.