museums ireland

Beaulieu House Beaulieu House was built between the years 1661 and 1667 by Sir William Tichborne. It had originally belonged to the Plunkett family but it had been mortgaged in 1639 and it was confiscated in 1642 by Cromwellian troops, to avenge the participation of William Plunkett, who sided with the Royalists. Tichborne's father bought out the mortgage and when Charles II returned to England, he granted Tichborne full possession. During the reign of Charles, there was an upsurge in 'improvem...

Dunfanaghy Workhouse opened in 1845 on the eve of the great famine - one of the greatest disasters ever to affect Ireland. The Workhouse soon proved its worth as people fled there to escape from the distress caused by the failure of their staple food - the potato.

This exhibition recalls the desperate days of the famine period and examines what life was like in the Workhouse.

Facilities include café, coach parking, shop, facilities for disabled and toilets....

This Museum celebrates the machinery of the steam era. Trains, and other steam powered engines are on display here. And you can learn about their uses in society and how they were built.

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Housed in an attractive, small stone, former Methodist church at the Slaney River Bridge.
The museum tells the story of  the religion developed in the area. Exhibits of Fr. John Murphy are aslo on disply here....

Donaghmore Museum, is an old workhouse, built as a result of the Great Famine. About 1,200 people were doomed to be paupers and forced to take refuge there.

It has been restored by Avonmore and now houses an agricultural museum. The kitchen, dormitories and waiting hall have all been restored and the museum is open to the public during the summer months....

The Waterwheels founded by the Cistercians in the 12th century are located 1km outside the town of Ballyshannon.

The once derelict site now houses the impressive waterwheels and an interpretative centre where an audio-visual presentation traces the legacy of the medieval Cistercians in Ireland....

Household artefacts and vintage farm machinery....

Monaghan Town has one of the finest museums in the world, "County Museum", located on Hill Street. Its aim is to provide an education and service for the county and to collect and preserve its heritage....

The last surviving cornmill in the Tuam area closed as a working mill in 1964. Visitors can see the milling process which was employed as all the old machinery is still in place.

This mill played a vital part in the life of the local community and a voluntary committee opened it as a museum in 1974. It also serves as a seasonal tourist information office. No admission charge. Donations gratefully accepted....

Clare Museum, Ennis, is located in a beautifully restored former convent built by the Sisters of Mercy congregation in 1861. The museum exhibition "The Riches of Clare: its people, place and treasures," occupies two galleries and incorporates the traditional method of displaying original artefacts from the county with modern interpretive tools such as colourful display panels, audio visual and computer interactive presentations, models, some replicas and commissioned art pieces....