Open day to mark 125 years of national museum

On Saturday 29th August, the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street will be celebrating its 125th anniversary. A day of free hands-on activities, talks and demonstrations marking the public opening of the Kildare Street Museum buildings in 1890 have been arranged to celebrate the collections of the Museum of Archaeology.

The National Museum of Ireland was founded under the Dublin Science and Art Museum Act of 1877. Previously, the Museum’s collections had been divided between Leinster House, originally the headquarters of the Royal Dublin Society, and the Natural History Museum in Merrion Street, built as an extension to Leinster House in 1856 - 1857. Under the Act, the government purchased the museum buildings and collections. To provide storage and display space for the Leinster House collections, the government quickly implemented plans to construct a new, custom-built museum on Kildare Street and on 29 August 1890, the new museum opened its doors to the public. Originally housing the Museum’s collections of antiquities, ethnography, folklife, decorative arts and history, it is now dedicated to the display of archaeological material from Ireland and abroad.

At the inaugural event on 29th August 1890, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1889 – 1892), Lawrence Dundas said that it was his: “fervent hope that this National Museum may in the fullest measure fulfil the purpose for which it (has) been raised: that (it) may not only prove a source of recreation and instruction to the general public but may afford such real assistance to Irish students and workers that their inauguration today may hereafter be regarded as making a new growth of the arts and industries of the Country.”

Raghnall Ó Floinn, current director of the National Museum stated: “The collections housed in the Museum’s magnificent Kildare Street building have fascinated and enthralled millions of visitors from home and abroad since opening in 1890. Join us in celebrating our 125th birthday as we take a closer look at the building and its collections and learn how we have cared for our archaeological heritage over the generations”

Siobhan Pierce Education and Outreach Officer for the NMI Archaeology and Natural History said: “Those visionary Victorians who opened the Museum 125 years ago always intended the galleries would amaze and inspire, so for this milestone anniversary we are planning a full day of events for people of all ages. We have workshops and trails, as well as talks and curator tours, replica artefact handling sessions and a special pop-up display. It will be a good day to get those questions people have, answered about the Museum’s artefacts, from the ancient Egyptian amulets to glistening Irish chalices!”

What’s on?

The Museum of Archaeology’s Big Birthday– Celebrating 125 years of welcoming the public

Saturday 29th August: A day of free hands-on activities, talks and demonstrations marking the 125th anniversary of the Kildare Street Museum building opening to the public and celebrating the collections of the Museum of Archaeology.

Exploring the Digital Crypt: Saturday 29th August; 10.30am-4.30pm

Drop by to discover online catalogues of the collections stored in the Museum’s basement, known as the Crypt. Explore the extent of our collections and digital catalogues with this special display by our inventory team and chat with them to learn which artefacts came from your local area. Located next to the Treasury exhibition, ground floor. No booking required. Wheelchair accessible.

'Where do they get this stuff from?' – 125 years of collecting Tuesday 25th to Sunday 30th August. During Museum Opening Hours.

Find the answer at a pop-up display case created by the Museum's inventory team who are generating a digital catalogue of the collection. Learn about the unusual origins of the objects and the evolution of the methods of collecting over the past 125 years. If you can't visit why not look at the Documentation Discoveries online on the museum website www.museum.ie Located on the first floor. Not wheelchair accessible.

Floor to Ceiling: A Closer Look at the Interior of the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street; Saturday 29th August 12.00pm – 1.00pm

The National Museum on Kildare Street is not only a repository for artefacts, it is a work of art in itself. From Sienese wood carving designs to Oppenheimer mosaic floors, join Jennifer O’Mahony, NMI, for a closer look at the beautiful features that make the museum building unique. Located in the Ceramics Room, first floor. Not wheelchair accessible.

Minding the Museum’s Mosaics; Saturday 29th August 10.30am-4.30pm

Drop-in and meet ceramic artist Laura O’Hagan and her team and view how they are working to protect and ensure the long-term preservation of the Museum’s stunning mosaic floors. Takes place throughout the Museum building.

Artefact Detective!; Saturday 29th August 2.30pm - 4.30pm

Discover how archaeologists solve the puzzle of mystery objects during this drop-in session! There are six objects on display, but there are nine descriptions, can you match the correct descriptions to the six artefacts? Located in the Learning Resource Room. Not wheelchair accessible.

Curators Talks & Tours Saturday 29th August

Drop in during the day and have a personal chat with one of the archaeology curators who will be on hand to talk about the wonderful collections on display. Check www.museum.ie for more information.

Archaeology on Film; Saturday 29th August During Opening Hours

Catch a showing of one of the many videos of the amazing discoveries and work of the Museum archaeologists and conservators, from forensic examinations of Bog Bodies and the Faddan More Psalter to conserving recent archaeological finds such as Viking swords and axes. Located in the Viking AV Room, first floor. Not wheelchair accessible.

History of the Building Trail; Saturday 29th August During Opening Hours

A trail highlighting the history and design features of the public, illustrated with original drawings and photographs of the Museum in the past. Available free in the Rotunda. Partially wheelchair accessible.

Hands on Prehistory; Saturday 29th August During Museum Opening Hours.

Inspect the evidence of the past and get hands-on with a selection of replica artefacts and discuss how archaeologists interpret the evidence for our prehistoric ancestors. Throughout the Museum. Partially wheelchair accessible.

Children’s Take-A-Trails; Saturday 29th August During Museum Opening Hours.

Use one of our colourful activity sheet booklets to track down some of the most iconic objects in the Museum choose from The Treasury Trail and The Viking Challenge. Available free in the Rotunda. Partially wheelchair accessible.