Over 1 million visitors to the National Museum of Ireland

Over 1 million visitors (1,018,210) have visited the 4 sites of the National Museum of Ireland since the start of this year, confirming it as Ireland’s most visited national cultural institution.

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND

PREAS RÁITEAS THAR CEANN ARD-MHÚSAEM NA hÉIREANN

26th November 2014.

Over 1 million visitors to the National Museum of Ireland

Over 1 million visitors (1,018,210) have visited the 4 sites of the National Museum of Ireland since the start of this year, confirming it as Ireland’s most visited national cultural institution. This is the fourth consecutive year in which the Museum has attracted over 1 million visitors. This has been reached a month earlier than in previous years and the total cumulative figure represents an increase of 5% on this time last year.

Welcoming the news, the Director of the National Museum, Raghnall Ó Floinn said:

“We are delighted to yet again welcome over 1 million visitors to our four museums so far this year and given the limited resources available to us, it is certainly a significant achievement. There is clearly a sustained public interest in our museums by visitors both from Ireland and from further afield. The visitor attendance can be attributed to the Museum’s varied public programming as well as the many exhibitions and galleries displaying and interpreting the collections in our care. Free Admission is also a key factor - which means that our collections can be enjoyed by all. The Museum continues to be a key player in the cultural life of the country and a key attraction for tourists to our museums both in Dublin and Mayo. I want to pay particular thanks to the Museum staff and congratulate them on this achievement - without their enthusiasm and hard work this would not have been possible.”

Some of the highlights of 2014 include:

The exhibition at our Archaeology museum at Kildare Street marks the one thousandth anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf, fought on Good Friday, 1014. Dispelling popular myth, it presents the evidence for what actually happened at Clontarf, the events that led up to the battle and its legacy. This exhibition will be on view until the end of 2015 and has attracted significant visitor numbers – both nationally and internationally.

Our Decorative Arts & History museum at Collins Barracks, Benburb Street hosted an extensive public programme. This included , a celebration of an overlooked icon of Irish domestic architecture - the Dublin pebble-dash house - and a design-driven discussion on the future of Dublin urbanism. The project includes the ‘construction’ of a life-size house in the central square at Collins Barracks and an Arts Council funded engagement programme, aimed at young people and Transition Year students. The house will be on show at Collins Barracks until December 2014. Our exhibition on the First World War is currently in preparation and will open before Christmas.

The Natural History museum in Merrion Square had yet another exceptionally good year – with over 250,000 visitors to date. It attracts many family, school and group visitors alike and many return on repeat visits.

The Museum of Country Life in Castlebar, Co. Mayo continues to attract over 100,000 visitors per annum. This award-winning Museum is home to the National Folklife Collection and is set in the grounds of Turlough Park, outside Castlebar. Our current temporary exhibition is . The Peace Preservation Act of 1814 allowed for the creation of the Peace Preservation Force which is seen by many as the precursor to the establishment of the Irish Constabulary and of the modern police services on the island of Ireland. The exhibition runs until April 2015.

FOR MORE PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT

Ann Daly, Head of Marketing, Marketing Department

T: 01 648 6457 | M: 087 2368067 | E: adaly@museum.ie

Maureen Gaule, Marketing Executive, Marketing Department, Dublin

T: 01 648 6429 | M: 087 9031690| E: mgaule@museum.ie

Bernie Byron, Marketing Executive, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

T: 094 903 1773 I Mob: 087 798 7439 I E: tpark@museum.ie

Notes to the Editor:

Admission to the National Museum of Ireland and its Exhibitions is Free

Open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm

Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm

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