Tipperary Museum Receives ‘Excellence’ Award In Post-Covid Tourism Boost
The Thomas MacDonagh Museum has received a special accolade under the prestigious Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI), coordinated by The Heritage Council.
It comes as the sector prepares a fightback against the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The certificates were presented at a special online ceremony today (27.07.21).
Established by the Council to benchmark and promote professional standards, selection under the MSPI is seen as a major accolade in the sector.
Factors taken into account include how museums care for their collections and visitors, as well as governance and management standards, and their education and exhibition programmes.
The Thomas MacDonagh Museum, situated in the small town of Cloughjordan, explores the life and legacy of Thomas MacDonagh, best known for his participation and execution during the 1916 Easter Rising.
Awarding the museum full accreditation today, the assessors noted how it has rapidly become a cultural hub for the local community:
"This local connection is further enhanced by the undoubted willingness of all concerned to maintain a welcoming and inclusive facility open to all visitors.
Assessors have previously commented on the passion exhibited by the volunteers who manage and operate the museum.”
The MSPI programme, now in its 16th year, sets the benchmark for ‘excellence’ in the museum sector.
Since its inception, a total of 47 museums have received full accreditation. In total, 128 certificates have been awarded.
Chairman of the Heritage Council, Michael Parsons said:
“This programme is the gold standard for Irish museums.
Taking approximately five years to achieve full accreditation (interim accreditation usually after three years), it is a huge commitment on behalf of the participants.”
Chief Executive of The Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said:
“I’d like to compliment those involved in all the hard work they have done by way of raising standards to a new level.
The range of activities carried out by the various recipients in testament to the vibrancy in this sector and augurs well for the future.”
Gina O’Kelly, Director of Operations of the Irish Museums Association, said:
"Receiving this ‘stamp of excellence’ today is a huge accolade for each museum and represents many years of engagement with the process of accreditation – a commitment that has proven to be extremely rewarding for both the museums and their audiences.”
The process requires each museum to reach 34 minimum standards across seven areas, including management and governance, collections management, and public or visitor services.
The museums receiving accreditation today are:
Crawford Art Gallery, Cork – Full accreditation.
Kilkenny Castle, OPW – Full accreditation.
Museum of Free Derry – Full accreditation.
The Thomas MacDonagh Museum, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary - Full accreditation.
Dublin Castle State Apartments, OPW – Maintenance of accreditation.
Farmleigh, Dublin OPW – Maintenance of accreditation.
The GAA Museum, Dublin – Maintenance of accreditation.
Galway City Museum – Maintenance of accreditation.
Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, Co Louth - Maintenance of accreditation.
Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin OPW - Maintenance of accreditation.
There are 200 museums across Ireland, attracting more than eight million visitors in a normal year.
In addition, the sector directly employs more than 1,500 staff, and has 1,000 long-term volunteers.
For further details on the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland, visit the Heritage Council website.
