Choose Ireland » Museums

An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:55:56 +0000

The private collection of transport and heritage items housed here includes painstakingly refurbished farm implements such as corn harvesters, a Garvey Mill, and tractors and horse drawn equipment. Audiovisual aids elaborate on the exhibits.
Several unique motor vehicles can also be seen at An Dun museum, including a truck from the 1920s and several cars, bicycles, motorcycles with sidecars and other items, all immaculately restored and preserved.
An Dun is a name referring to Mound. Its original purpose was as a resting area for travelers heading to the monastery at nearby Clonmacnoise. The Mooney clan had roots in the area as far back as 150 A.D.

Wellbrook Beetling Mill

Brian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:54:35 +0000

The last water-driven beetling mill to survive in Northern Ireland, the Wellbrook Beetling Mill is now a museum dedicated to preserving the old-fashioned linen making process. The term “beetling” refers to the often-noisy process of water-powered hammers pounding the linen cloth to give it a smooth finish.
Located in a scenic wooded area near Cookstown and the Ballinderry River, the mill features guides in costume who conduct demonstrations of the workings of the mill and the actual making of linen.
Built by a family named Black around 1760, the two-story structure once housed seven beetling engines. Two of these remain in working condition. The National Trust now owns the facility.
The surrounding land is popular for nature walks and picnicking by the river. The original mill keeper’s house stands next door.

Dun Uladh Cultural Heritage Centre

Brian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:42:13 +0000

Located in the county town of Omagh, Dun Uladh Cultural Heritage Centre was created to preserve and further the traditional Irish culture in 1995. The name translates to ‘Fort of Ulster’, and the centre serves as the headquarters of Comhaltas Ceiltori, and organization that has shared this common objective since 1951.
In addition to other programs and exhibits, the centre offers live traditional music on Saturday nights, with refreshments available at a minimal price. Throughout the summer, there is a weekly Irish Cabaret performance. This centre for musical and literary learning also houses a museum and library.

Gray’s Print Museum

Brian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:40:14 +0000

In the town of Strabane, Gray’s Print Museum contains a creative display of hand printing presses and equipment dating back to the 19th century. The museum commemorates the days when Strabane was the most important town in Ireland for the business of publishing.
Some of the exhibits focus on the connection to a group of Ulster-Americans, most famously John Dunlap, credited with founding Pennsylvania Packet, America’s first daily newspaper, and printing the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
In addition to pre-automated printing equipment, the museum offers educational audiovisual presentations and a relaxing country garden located on the grounds.

Ashbrook Open Farm and Agricultural Museum

Brian — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:35:39 +0000

Ashbrook Farm welcomes visitors who come to observe its wide variety of domestic farm animals. There are pet goats, lambs and donkeys, some of which pull carts along on a tour of the entire farm.
There is a duck pond that is home to many rare birds as well, including pheasants. The working farm is supported by the keeping of herds of cattle and sheep. The guided tour includes information about how the products of the working farm eventually reach the home and dinner table.
Ashbrook Farm also features an agricultural museum that displays an extensive collection of antique farming machines and implements.

Donaghmore Museum

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:07:29 +0000

The mission of the Donaghmore Museum is to educate its visitors by telling the story of how people lived at the workhouses of Ireland during the Famine Years. There are five buildings on the site, which functioned as a workhouse for the poor from 1853 until 1886.
The workhouse was a place of last resort, and people greatly feared going there but many had no choice. Families were divided, with separate living quarters for males and females. All existed at the lowest possible standard of living.
One of the buildings has been authentically restored, showing the sparse quarters with whitewashed walls.
Another building on the site has been turned into an agricultural museum, and displays tools for butter churning, sowing, and plowing, including old horse drawn farm implements.

Stradbally Steam Museum

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:50:58 +0000

Located in a former famine –era workhouse, the Stradbally Steam Museum brings together a collection of various types of steam engines and machinery. It sponsors a popular event each August, known as the Steam Rally.
As a workhouse operating in the 1800’s during the famine years, about 1,200 people were housed here. The original kitchen, dorms and waiting hall have all been restored, and the public is welcome to explore this memorial to Ireland’s past during the summer months.

Drogheda

Brian — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 12:21:16 +0000

King John, an Anglo-Norman, officially established the town of Drogheda in 1194 but the actual history of inhabitation extends back to the times when the Celts first arrived.
Drogheda was the scene of several important historical events, such as the Battle of the Boyne and the Surrender of the Irish Chieftains to the King of England. It is located on the eastern coast of Ireland. There is record of the arrival of the Vikings in 911, and they colonized the area until the arrival of the Normans some 200 years later. Hugh de Lacy, the lord of Trim, fortified the town along the River Boyne. The town of Drogheda is divided by this river, and in the beginning was actually two separate towns.
In 1649, Oliver Cromwell arrived with the goal of banishing native Irish Catholics to the wilds in the west of the country. He gave them the option to go to “Hell or Connaught”. Cromwell had a particularly difficult time when he approached the sturdy walls of Drogheda. The citizens stood their ground through two attacks before finally falling to the third. A massive slaughter of as many as 3500 people – including women and children – followed.
One group of Drogheda residents sought refuge in St. Peter’s Church and were burned along with the building. Sir Arthur Aston, one of the citizen leaders, was actually beaten with his own wooden leg until he died. The events, which took place near Millmount, established Cromwell as vicious when dealing with rebellion and were used to quell the same type of behavior in nearby areas. His reputation, however, never really recovered from these acts of cruelty, which most people viewed as excessive.
Today, the massacre of 1649 is memorialized at Millmount Museum and Martello Tower. The attached buildings are filled with exhibits that focus on the progress of Drogheda and its people over the centuries, proof that Cromwell was not successful in breaking the will and spirit of the local people. Trade Guild memorabilia signifies rebuilding, a willow and leather coracle (traditional River Boyne fishing boat) and commercial and industrial artifacts illustrate the many ways Drogheda has used to prosper.
Memorabilia of the bloody events in 1649 is on display and the rich military history of the town is detailed by exhibits housed in Martello Tower.
Drogheda’s unique features include St. Laurence’s Gate, a genuine 13th century gate that was once one of the eleven openings in the fortified enclosure of the city. It is very well preserved, and includes two drumtowers that stand four stories tall. Also surviving is Butler’s Gate, which is estimated to be at least fifty years older.
In the centre of town, spanning the River Boyne, is the railway viaduct. Engineered and built during the Victorian Period (1850), the viaduct still functions as a part of the Dublin to Belfast rail line and is visible from most areas in and around the town.
St. Peter’s Church, a Roman Catholic house of worship was built in the Gothic Revival style. It contains the head of St. Oliver Plunkett, preserved and retained after it was extracted from the fire used to execute him.

Kinsale

lisa — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:48:30 +0000

Situated on the South West Coast of Cork, is the picturesque Harbour town of Kinsale. It is commonly known as the gourmet capital of Ireland, famous for it’s fresh fish and seafood. It has a wide variety of Restaurants to suit all taste buds, at least 30 pubs and an excellent selection of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Kinsale is also a popular place for activities such as golf, sea angling, yachting and Dolphin and Whale Watching trips. There are also a number of art galleries and craft shops scattered around the town. During the summer months Kinsale is host to a number of Regattas and Festivals. The town lies between the hills and the seafront, and is a maze of colourful buildings and narrow winding streets. The perfect place for exploring, it has barely changed in a 100 years.
A garrison town for over 300 years, the Battle of Kinsale was fought in 1601 and was a turning point in Irish History. The harbour is guarded by two fortresses built in the 17th century. A guided tour of Charles Fort is a must see, as are trips to Desmond Castle (now a wine Museum), the museum at the old Courthouse, St Multoise Church (which is still in use) and The Almshouses. The Lusitania was sunk off the Head of Kinsale in 1915, and a visit here is recommended for the outsanding cliff top views.

Kinlough Folk Museum

Brian — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:44:41 +0000

Dedicated to keeping alive the memory of the quaint rural lifestyle of the Irish Midlands, this traditional old country house contains an original public bar, authentic kitchen complete with open fire and original utensils, with displays that include farming implements, tools and other historic items.