Our Team

Head of Conservation

Anthony Read joined the Museum in 1997, from Leicestershire Museums where he ran the Antiquities Conservation Laboratory. He leads the Conservation Department, caring for collections across all the National Museum of Ireland sites.

His qualifications include BSc(hons) in Archaeological Conservation, Postgraduate Diploma (Museum Studies) and MA (Architectural Conservation).

His particular interest is in the conservation of archaeological artefacts and he has been heavily involved in a number of recent major finds, including the conservation and investigation of the bog bodies, and the Fadden More Psalter, about which a number of articles are published or forthcoming.

Assistant Keeper II (Conservation)

Trained at the Textile Conservation Centre (UK) and graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in 1995. Member of the Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works in Ireland (ICHAWI).

Professional interests: Care and conservation of textile collections. Works mainly on the preparation of textiles for display.

Conservator

Nieves has been with the Museum since 1999, previously having worked with the National Gallery of Ireland and the Mercer Library of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

She has a BA(hons) in History and Geography and an Honours Diploma in Archeological Conservation.

Nieves' drawings have been published in IPCRA Conservation Guidelines for Archaeologists, a teacher's pack for UCD Classics department and a paper in the Journal of the History of Neurosciences.

Asgard Project Manager - Lead Conservator

Ship & Boat Conservator – Master Shipwright

Previously worked with Tyrrell’s of Arklow as shipwright - naval draughtsman; British Merchant Navy CPO/Shipwright; Head of Maritime, Industrial & Transport Conservation in the National Museums Liverpool.

Professional Interests include the promotion of interest in maritime history and related technology, particularly that of ship and boatbuilding in all its diversities.

Author of a number of publications about preservation, conservation and restoration of ships and boats

Brendan Tracey and Oliver Ward are the project’s leading Shipwrights. Both trained at John Tyrrell & Sons boat builders of Arklow.

John Proctor, Shipwright, is also Tyrrell trained.

Brendan, Oliver and John were principle shipwrights involved in building Ireland’s National Sail Training Brigantine Asgard 2, which was designed and built by John Tyrrell. Tragically, Asgard 2 sank off the coast of France in 2008, fortunately without loss of life.

Patrick Kirwan is a joiner/cabinetmaker and machinist craftsman.

This highly skilled and experienced team with combined experience across wooden boatbuilding and fine joinery are instrumental in the complex conservation processes involved in conserving and restoring the Asgard.