CARLOW COUNTY MUSEUM
"The Quiet Revolution", the 70th Anniversary of Rural Electrification Exhibition
On Tuesday August 23rd the Museum officially launched its new temporary exhibition "The Quiet Revolution, the 70th Anniversary of Rural Electrification". The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with the ESB Archive and Heritage section and has been on display since early July. The exhibition forms part of the Carlow Ireland 2016 programme under the theme of "Reflecting on the last 100 Years".
The Rural Electrification Scheme has been described as one of the greatest social and economic developments in twentieth-century Ireland. The first phase of the scheme was implemented between 1946 and 1965, with post development work continuing until the late 1970s. In order to roll out the scheme, Ireland was divided into 792 "rural areas", 17 of which fell under Carlow county boundaries. This exhibition explores the bringing of the light to Carlow, from the first public lighting in 1891, to the implementation of rural electrification in the area (1947-1963). Those who worked on the scheme, including Paddy Dowling, "Carlow Person of the 20th Century", became known as the "Rural Pioneers". These men and women left a legacy not only to ESB but to the rural communities in which they operated and to the development of Irish society.
Carlow town had been to the fore of electricity generation since the late 19th century when on June 24th 1891 Milford Mills, Co. Carlow began generating electricity for Carlow Town using the power of the River Barrow on whose banks the mill is located. In the early 1890s the English based company Messrs. J. E. H. Gordon & Co. Ltd. entered an agreement with the Carlow Town Commission to supply electricity to Carlow town from the mill, owned by the Alexander Family.
Speaking at the launch Mr. Jerry O'Sullivan Deputy Chief Executive ESB stated "This exhibition sheds light not only on the history of ESB but also on the development of our country. Visitors to the exhibition can review both the story boards and examine the artefacts which cause us to reflect on what was undoubtedly one of the most important collaborative efforts of 20th Century Ireland. The work of the "Rural Pioneers" and all of those who played a role in delivering this great Scheme should not only be something that provides us with a shared sense of pride but it should also give us the inspiration and belief to face future challenges with confidence."
At the Rural Electrification Exhibition launch (L to R) Mr. Jerry O'Sullivan Deputy Chief Executive ESB; Cllr. Anne Ahern, Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow; Cllr. John Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council.
As part of Heritage Week 2016 and the same evening as the launch in the Cathedral Parish Centre Brendan Delany, E.S.B. Archive & Heritage Manager delivered a lecture on "The Quiet Revolution" with a focus on Co. Carlow and ESB engineer Paddy Dowling. Both the launch and the lecture were very well attended.
Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme
Since January 2015 the Museum has been heavily involved in the coordination of the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme" with Dermot Mulligan appointed as the Carlow Ireland 2016 Coordinator. By the year end the county hosted over sixty events to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the 1916 Rising.
On Friday 29th January 2016 Ann Phelan, Minister for State for Rural Economic Development and Social Enterprise, along with Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council and Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Chairperson of the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee" launched the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme". Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said at the launch that "all the commemorations will individually and collectively mark a key moment in the foundation of this State. 2016 is a time to reflect on the events of Easter 1916, the last one hundred years and to look to the future."
Cllr. Fintan Phelan speaking as the Chairperson of the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee stated that "it is pleasing to see so many communities and organisations around the county undertaking commemorations in their area. These will take the form of opening commemorative gardens, exhibitions, photographic displays, pieces of theatre and plays, unveiling of plaques and art commissions, parades, lectures, art exhibitions, re-enactments, sporting competitions and reading of the Proclamation. I would like to on behalf of the Committee to thank them for their interest and foresight in developing projects to mark such an important year."
Carlow County Council has commissioned two new pieces of public art, one for each Municipal District. The art commission for the Municipal District of Carlow is in Carlow County Museum. On Thursday 21st July the large "1916 Commemorative Stained Glass Mural" by artist Peadar Lamb was unveiled in the museum. This lasting legacy of the Carlow Ireland 2016 commemorations was commissioned by Carlow County Council through its Public Art Working Group and coordinated through the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee. This innovative and unique contemporary stained glass mural illustrates a Carlow narrative depicting some of the key Carlow figures and the role they played in 1916.
Cork City based artist Peadar Lamb has magnificently crafted a large mural of 2.5 meters wide by 1.5 meters high and is an addition to the six 1930s stained glass windows already in the Museum thanks to the buildings original residents, the Presentation Sisters. Following a recommendation from the Carlow Public Art Working Group a process of engagement with the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee has been on-going, the Committee met with the artist Peadar Lamb at the inception of the commission to share ideas and opinions. Following this the artist researched the period with the assistance of Elaine Callinan of the History Department in Carlow College.
Peadar stated at the opening that "the content of this artwork is a microcosm of what was happening in the whole country during the period of 1916. As an artist, in the process of making this work I have to try to find, what I am going to say and how to represent this Carlow narrative. I don't see historical dates I see things in pictures. I created a legacy piece that compositionally is not just about the past but also for the present and the future".
At the unveiling of the 1916 Commemorative Stained Glass Mural by artist Peadar Lamb in Carlow County Museum on Thursday July 21st 2016 were Cllr. John Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council; Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Mayor of the Municipality of Carlow and the Chairperson of the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee"; Gary Hughes, Chairperson of the Board of Carlow County Museum; Members of the Museum Board: Cllr Anne Ahern, Cllr Fergal Browne, Cllr. Walter Lacey, Martin Nevin and Noreen Whelan; Bernie O'Brien, Deputy Chief Executive; Pat Delaney Director of Services, artist Peadar Lamb, Catherine Marshall, art historian; Sinead Dowling and Aileen Nolan, Arts Officers and Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator. Photo: Paul Curran, Carlow County Council.
Guest speaker on the night was Catherine Marshall, a leading figure in Art History in Ireland who summarised the importance of stained glass as an artform. She said "it is always really great to see a brand new artwork as the public see it for the first time. Historically as an art form stained glass was the medium used for commemorations.
It is most fitting and the visionary work of Carlow County Council to commission contemporary stained glass artist Peadar Lamb. What strikes me in this artwork is the careful traditional leaded techniques and methods Peadar has applied, all done by hand, like the great cathedral windows across Europe. Like the great stained glass artists like Harry Clark, Peadar Lamb is an exceptional artist and has produced a beautiful artwork for Carlow".
The project was managed through the Arts Office of Carlow County Council in partnership with County Carlow Museum under the direction of the Head of Finance, Information Systems and Culture, working with the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee and members of Carlow County Council. The project is part of the Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme funded by Carlow County Council with assistance from the Ireland 2016 Office, The Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Department of the Environment Community and Local Government.
The mural is visually impactful on all visitors to the Museum and is now part of the Museum's permanent collection. Two panels, one each in English and Irish have been erected at the top of the stairs to provide the interpretation. A wall mounted television displays a video of Peadar making the piece. A brochure, in English and Irish, is also available.
The panel was short listed in the Chambers Ireland Local Government Awards 1916 Commemoration Category which was announced on Thursday 24th November. The category was won by Dublin City Council with Monaghan County Council receiving the commendation award for this category.
(L to R) Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator; Pat Delaney, Head of Finance, Information Systems and Culture; Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow and Chairperson of the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee; Mary Kennedy, MC; Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council; Damien English, TD, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Peadar Lamb, artist; Sinead Dowling, Arts Officer and Kieran Comerford, Carlow Local Enterprise Office.
On May 1st the O'Hanrahan GFC hosted their 1916 Commemoration at their grounds on the Dublin Road. This included the presenting of the O'Hanrahan Cup to Gary Hughes, Chairperson of the Board of Carlow County Museum. The Cup was originally presented by the O'Hanrahan family to the Club in 1966 as part of the fiftieth anniversary commemorations. On Saturday April 3rd Coiste Chontae Ceatharloch C.L.G held a re-enactment of the 1916 County hurling and football finals. They presented the Museum with four replica jerseys, one for each of the teams who completed along with the sliotar. On Friday May 6th the Carlow Federation of the Irish Country Women's Association (ICA) unveiled their commemorative wall hanging in Carlow College. In December, the Carlow Federation of the ICA formally presented their 1916 Wall Hanging to the Museum. It depicts many of Irelands Achievements from 1916 up to 2016. Various styles of stitching, quilting and embroidering from the twelve guilds of the Carlow Federation were involved in the making of the commemorative piece.
St. Willibrord, Patron Saint of Luxembourg
On Wednesday 27th January 2016 in the Parish Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin and Bishop Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ferns, Ossory and Leighlin launched the joint Diocesan pilgrimage to Echternach, Luxembourg which will take place in June 2017. Both Bishops will lead the pilgrimage which will partake in the annual "Hopping Procession" in honour of St Willibrord, Patron Saint of Luxembourg. St. Willibrord was trained and ordained in Clonmelsh, Garryhundon, Co. Carlow in the late 7th century. The century's old hopping procession has received UNESCO World Heritage Status. Both Bishops welcome the generous offer from the Parish of Echternach and the St. Willibrord Foundation to present Co. Carlow with a Relic of St Willibrord in 2017. The launch was followed by a lecture by Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator on the historical connection between Co. Carlow and Echternach. The Presentation School Band under the baton of music teacher Edwina Hayden played the hopping tune. This is the tune that pilgrims hop to through the streets of Echternach.
(L to R) Dermot Mulligan, Carlow County Museum; Joe Tully, Tully's Travel; Gary Hughes, Chairperson Board of Carlow County Museum; Bishop Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ferns, Ossory and Leighlin and Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin; Rev Tom Gordon, Dean of St Laserian's Cathedral, Old Leighlin and Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council.
Both Bishop Nulty and Bishop Burrows with clergy from Carlow Cathedral and St Laserian's Old Leighlin and the staff of Carlow County Museum have met to discuss plans for 2017. The highlights will include a pilgrimage of up to fifty people that will be led by both Bishops to Echternach where they will accept a Relic of St Willibrord for display in Co. Carlow and a special exhibition that will be hosted in Carlow County Museum. Professor Daibha O Croinin, School of History, National University Galway, whose research established the connection, is the academic advisor to the project. The pilgrimage bookings will be coordinated through Tully's Travel Agents, Carlow Town.
Executive of the "Society of St Willibrord of Britain and Ireland" visiting the Museum in May
On Monday the 7th of November the Feast of St Willibrord, Patron Saint of Luxembourg and his Co Carlow connection was celebrated in both Carlow Cathedral and St Laserian's Cathedral. This is probably the first time in centuries that his Feast Day has been celebrated in Co. Carlow.
In the morning, all the senior classes in the primary schools within the Cathedral Parish were invited to the Cathedral for a service at 12 noon. That night at 7.00pm an ecumenical service in St Laserian's Cathedral was led by the Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Ossory, Cashel, Ferns, Lismore, Waterford and Leighlin along with the Most Reverend Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. This was followed by a lecture by Professor Daibha O Croinin, Department of History, NUI Galway on Clonmelsh, Willibrord, and Carlow's Contribution to the Anglo-Saxon mission on the continent in the 8th century. A large crowd of up to one hundred and eighty people were in attendance.
The Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Leighlin and the Most Reverend
Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin leading the service in St Laserian's Cathedral
GAA Congress
In late February Coiste Chontae Ceatharlach C.L.G hosted the GAA National Congress in Mount Wolseley Hotel in Tullow. Delegates attended from every county across the island as well as from GAA associations abroad. On the first day of the Congress, Friday 26th February Aogan O Fearghail, President of the GAA unveiled a display case compiled by Carlow County Museum and the Carlow County GAA Board in the hotel lobby. The display case featured several the former county championship trophies including the Haughney and Fr. Lalor Cups which the Coiste Chontae Ceatharlach C.L.G. have previously presented to the Museum. Over the next while this display case will be remounted in the Museum and displayed as part of an enhanced GAA exhibition.
Pictured at the unveiling of the display case by Aogan O Fearghail, President of the GAA in Mount Wolseley Hotel including Gary Hughes, Chairperson of the Board of Carlow County Museum, Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Sean Campion, Chairperson of Coiste Chontae Ceatharloch C.L.G and Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator.
"Lesser Spotted Journeys", UTV
On Tuesday 13th and Sunday 18th September UTV and UTV Ireland broadcast a one-hour episode of "Lesser Spotted Journeys" which featured the Leighlinbridge and Bagenalstown areas of the county. In early 2016 the show's producers contacted the Museum who suggested a number of potential speakers to be interviewed on different aspects of that areas heritage. Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator was interviewed during the programme along with Martin Nevin in Leighlinbridge; Rev Tom Gordon in St Laserian's Cathedral; Myles Kavanagh in Bagenalstown; Arthur Keppel on the River Barrow and Louise Doyle in Carlow and Edwina Hayden with the Presentation Band. Westway Film Productions produced the programme which was researched in January with the assistance of the Museum and was recorded over a number of days in February. Link to the UTV Player: http://player.utv.ie/programme/lesser-spotted-journeys/492114
TripAdvisor 2016 "Certificate of Excellence 2016"
The Museum has received a TripAdvisor "Certificate of Excellence 2016". TripAdvisor, claims to be the largest travel site in the world, with more than 60 million members and over 170 million reviews and opinions of hotels, restaurants, attractions and other travel-related businesses. Its reviews are submitted by members of the public and based on these reviews a business receives a rating. This is the first time the Museum has been awarded their "Certificate of Excellence".
International Pan Celtic Festival
In April Carlow town hosted for the third time the International Pan Celtic Festival. The Museum hosted daily Storytelling Sessions, conducted Museum tours and a Lucinda Sly Walking tour.
"Is Leor Beirt" Ciorcal Gaeilge
The Museum has been hosting the Glor Cheatharlach weekly sessions "Is Leoir Beirt". This has been highly successful and brings in a variety of people on a weekly basis to speak conversational Irish. In early May, Feargal O Cuilinn from Glor Na nGael, Dublin presented Glor Cheatharlach with a Bonn Oir (Gold Medal) for Carlow at their weekly Irish conversation circle in the Museum. On Wednesday 12th October the session was broadcast live across the web as part of the 'Comhra16', the annual initiative to keep an Irish language conversation ongoing around the world for 170 hours continuously.
CHAS School Projects
On Wednesday June 15th the winners of this year's Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society History Project Competition had their hard work and fantastic research recognised at a prize giving ceremony in Carlow County Museum. The history competition which is now in its tenth year was open to all Fifth and Sixth Class pupils who live or attend school in County Carlow. Scooping the top prize this year was Eoin Cummins from Ballinkillen National School with his project on Dolmens in County Carlow. In second place was Katie Brooks from Ballon National School with her project on The Adelaide Memorial Church. Joint third place went to Dylan Cass from Ballinkillen National School with The Blackstairs Blitz and Hannah Curry from Ballon National School with her project on the Cranavane Well. The winning competition entries are on display in the Museum.
Bertie Watchorn, President of the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society
and Jim Shannon, competition judge with the winners of the 2016 Carlow Historical
& Archaeological Society's History Project Competition.
Staff
Alongside the Museum's two full time staff and shared staff member with the Library there is presently two Tus participants, Thomas Doyle and John Riordan. Kelly Mooney, Graduate Employment Scheme is working on Carlow Ireland 2016 and Heritage Week 2016. In December, the Museum organised the 5th annual Museum Volunteer Party, held in the Delta Centre, and it was attended by many of the Museums dedicated volunteers who assist the Museum on an ongoing basis.
Visitor Numbers 2016
The Museum has recorded 20,929 visitors to the Museum and Tourist Office during 2016. This is the biggest ever annual visitor number recorded for the Museum. This does not include attendance figures at events that the Museum organised or were part of outside the Museum premises.
Seamus Murphy
Founder member of the Museum and former member of the Museum Board Mr. Seamus Murphy died in September. He was an Honorary Member of the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society (CHAS), a former President of CHAS, a founder member of the Museum, a member of the Museum Board from 2005 to 2012 and was part of the CHAS delegation who negotiated with the Town Council to take over the operations of the Museum.
Banners and Signage
The Museum has updated its eight external banners on College Street with five Museum branded banners, two of them in Irish; two Tourist Office banners and a Failte Ireland new "Ireland's Ancient East" branded banner. A new bilingual sign has been added over the front door of the building and improved internal signage to assist visitor flow through the Museum and Tourist Office.
Carlow Chamber Awards
The Museum was short listed in the annual Carlow Chamber of Commerce awards in the "Carlow Tourism Award (Attractions and Activities)" category which was held in the Shaw Theatre on Thursday 30th September. Congratulations to the Delta Sensory Gardens who were the winner of this category.
Museum Brochures Translated
The Museum's main brochure has been translated into four European languages: French, Italian, German and Spanish. The brochure is already available in Irish.
Culture Night
On Friday 16th September "Culture Night" was celebrated across the country. Carlow's activities were coordinated through the Carlow Arts Office. The Museum hosted a concert by the Carlow Youth Orchestra conducted by Majella Swan. Twenty-five members of the orchestra performed in the Museum with over fifty people in attendance.
Carlow Youth Orchestra performing in the Museum under the baton of Majella Swan.
LAMN Exhibition
On Wednesday 30th November last in the National Library of Ireland, Heather Humphries TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs launched the Local Authority Museums' Network (LAMN) exhibition "1916, Across the Country" along with the Irish Museums Associations "Irish Museums Survey 2016". The LAMN exhibition features all twelve local authority museums with a panel about a person or event from that particular county with a 1916 connection. The Carlow exhibition panel features Nurse Kehoe with a future panel in the Museum on Bridget Connolly.
The LAMN have also launched a short video on the LAMN and the benefits of the local authority museums. Filming for part of this video was undertaken in the Museum with three of the Museum staff featuring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsmZwPA4CQo
The UCD Library and Archives - Kevin Barry
UCD Library and UCD Archives have digitised two collections of material relating to Kevin Barry. The Kevin Barry Papers, held in UCD Archives, contain material associated with his days at Belvedere College, his year as a medical student in UCD, and his brief time in custody at Mountjoy Gaol before execution. The majority of the collection is composed of material gathered after his death by Kathy Barry Maloney, Barry's sister. The papers of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee, purchased at auction by the UCD Students' Centre and held in UCD Archives, comprise the papers and correspondence of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee, who were formed to raise funds to create a memorial to Kevin Barry. The memorial was a large stained glass window by the famous Harry Clarke Studios was unveiled in 1935 in Earlsfort Terrace. In recent years it was moved to the new Health Sciences Centre at Belfield campus. Both collections are now publicly available in the UCD Digital library at:
http://www.ucd.ie/library/finding_information/digital/kevinbarry/ and
http://www.ucd.ie/archives/collections/depositedcollections/items/collectionname,235235,en.html
A travelling exhibition of four information panels about Kevin Barry and the digital collection is on display in Carlow College, St Patrick's, College Street, Carlow Town since the 25th October to the 28th November. The exhibition was organised in association with Carlow County Museum.
A public lecture on "Kevin Barry and his world" took place in Cobden Hall in the College on Monday, 28 November from 1.45. The lecture was given by Professor Eunan O'Halpin, Professor of Contemporary Irish History at Trinity College Dublin. He is a grand nephew of Kevin Barry.
The four information panels on display in Carlow College were commissioned to accompany the release of the digital collection and contain a brief biography of Kevin Barry authored by Prof. Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor of Modern Irish History at UCD and a panel about the creation of the memorial stained glass window.
On Tuesday August 23rd the Museum officially launched its new temporary exhibition "The Quiet Revolution, the 70th Anniversary of Rural Electrification". The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with the ESB Archive and Heritage section and has been on display since early July. The exhibition forms part of the Carlow Ireland 2016 programme under the theme of "Reflecting on the last 100 Years".
The Rural Electrification Scheme has been described as one of the greatest social and economic developments in twentieth-century Ireland. The first phase of the scheme was implemented between 1946 and 1965, with post development work continuing until the late 1970s. In order to roll out the scheme, Ireland was divided into 792 "rural areas", 17 of which fell under Carlow county boundaries. This exhibition explores the bringing of the light to Carlow, from the first public lighting in 1891, to the implementation of rural electrification in the area (1947-1963). Those who worked on the scheme, including Paddy Dowling, "Carlow Person of the 20th Century", became known as the "Rural Pioneers". These men and women left a legacy not only to ESB but to the rural communities in which they operated and to the development of Irish society.
Carlow town had been to the fore of electricity generation since the late 19th century when on June 24th 1891 Milford Mills, Co. Carlow began generating electricity for Carlow Town using the power of the River Barrow on whose banks the mill is located. In the early 1890s the English based company Messrs. J. E. H. Gordon & Co. Ltd. entered an agreement with the Carlow Town Commission to supply electricity to Carlow town from the mill, owned by the Alexander Family.
At the Rural Electrification Exhibition launch (L to R) Mr. Jerry O'Sullivan Deputy Chief Executive ESB; Cllr. Anne Ahern, Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow; Cllr. John Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council.
Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme
Since January 2015 the Museum has been heavily involved in the coordination of the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme" with Dermot Mulligan appointed as the Carlow Ireland 2016 Coordinator. By the year end the county hosted over sixty events to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the 1916 Rising.
On Friday 29th January 2016 Ann Phelan, Minister for State for Rural Economic Development and Social Enterprise, along with Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council and Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Chairperson of the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee" launched the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme". Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said at the launch that "all the commemorations will individually and collectively mark a key moment in the foundation of this State. 2016 is a time to reflect on the events of Easter 1916, the last one hundred years and to look to the future."
Cllr. Fintan Phelan speaking as the Chairperson of the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee stated that "it is pleasing to see so many communities and organisations around the county undertaking commemorations in their area. These will take the form of opening commemorative gardens, exhibitions, photographic displays, pieces of theatre and plays, unveiling of plaques and art commissions, parades, lectures, art exhibitions, re-enactments, sporting competitions and reading of the Proclamation. I would like to on behalf of the Committee to thank them for their interest and foresight in developing projects to mark such an important year."
Carlow County Council has commissioned two new pieces of public art, one for each Municipal District. The art commission for the Municipal District of Carlow is in Carlow County Museum. On Thursday 21st July the large "1916 Commemorative Stained Glass Mural" by artist Peadar Lamb was unveiled in the museum. This lasting legacy of the Carlow Ireland 2016 commemorations was commissioned by Carlow County Council through its Public Art Working Group and coordinated through the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee. This innovative and unique contemporary stained glass mural illustrates a Carlow narrative depicting some of the key Carlow figures and the role they played in 1916.
Cork City based artist Peadar Lamb has magnificently crafted a large mural of 2.5 meters wide by 1.5 meters high and is an addition to the six 1930s stained glass windows already in the Museum thanks to the buildings original residents, the Presentation Sisters. Following a recommendation from the Carlow Public Art Working Group a process of engagement with the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee has been on-going, the Committee met with the artist Peadar Lamb at the inception of the commission to share ideas and opinions. Following this the artist researched the period with the assistance of Elaine Callinan of the History Department in Carlow College.
Peadar stated at the opening that "the content of this artwork is a microcosm of what was happening in the whole country during the period of 1916. As an artist, in the process of making this work I have to try to find, what I am going to say and how to represent this Carlow narrative. I don't see historical dates I see things in pictures. I created a legacy piece that compositionally is not just about the past but also for the present and the future".
At the unveiling of the 1916 Commemorative Stained Glass Mural by artist Peadar Lamb in Carlow County Museum on Thursday July 21st 2016 were Cllr. John Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council; Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Mayor of the Municipality of Carlow and the Chairperson of the "Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee"; Gary Hughes, Chairperson of the Board of Carlow County Museum; Members of the Museum Board: Cllr Anne Ahern, Cllr Fergal Browne, Cllr. Walter Lacey, Martin Nevin and Noreen Whelan; Bernie O'Brien, Deputy Chief Executive; Pat Delaney Director of Services, artist Peadar Lamb, Catherine Marshall, art historian; Sinead Dowling and Aileen Nolan, Arts Officers and Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator. Photo: Paul Curran, Carlow County Council.
It is most fitting and the visionary work of Carlow County Council to commission contemporary stained glass artist Peadar Lamb. What strikes me in this artwork is the careful traditional leaded techniques and methods Peadar has applied, all done by hand, like the great cathedral windows across Europe. Like the great stained glass artists like Harry Clark, Peadar Lamb is an exceptional artist and has produced a beautiful artwork for Carlow".
The project was managed through the Arts Office of Carlow County Council in partnership with County Carlow Museum under the direction of the Head of Finance, Information Systems and Culture, working with the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee and members of Carlow County Council. The project is part of the Carlow Ireland 2016 Programme funded by Carlow County Council with assistance from the Ireland 2016 Office, The Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Department of the Environment Community and Local Government.
The mural is visually impactful on all visitors to the Museum and is now part of the Museum's permanent collection. Two panels, one each in English and Irish have been erected at the top of the stairs to provide the interpretation. A wall mounted television displays a video of Peadar making the piece. A brochure, in English and Irish, is also available.
The panel was short listed in the Chambers Ireland Local Government Awards 1916 Commemoration Category which was announced on Thursday 24th November. The category was won by Dublin City Council with Monaghan County Council receiving the commendation award for this category.
(L to R) Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator; Pat Delaney, Head of Finance, Information Systems and Culture; Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow and Chairperson of the Carlow Ireland 2016 Committee; Mary Kennedy, MC; Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council; Damien English, TD, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Peadar Lamb, artist; Sinead Dowling, Arts Officer and Kieran Comerford, Carlow Local Enterprise Office.
St. Willibrord, Patron Saint of Luxembourg
On Wednesday 27th January 2016 in the Parish Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin and Bishop Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ferns, Ossory and Leighlin launched the joint Diocesan pilgrimage to Echternach, Luxembourg which will take place in June 2017. Both Bishops will lead the pilgrimage which will partake in the annual "Hopping Procession" in honour of St Willibrord, Patron Saint of Luxembourg. St. Willibrord was trained and ordained in Clonmelsh, Garryhundon, Co. Carlow in the late 7th century. The century's old hopping procession has received UNESCO World Heritage Status. Both Bishops welcome the generous offer from the Parish of Echternach and the St. Willibrord Foundation to present Co. Carlow with a Relic of St Willibrord in 2017. The launch was followed by a lecture by Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator on the historical connection between Co. Carlow and Echternach. The Presentation School Band under the baton of music teacher Edwina Hayden played the hopping tune. This is the tune that pilgrims hop to through the streets of Echternach.
(L to R) Dermot Mulligan, Carlow County Museum; Joe Tully, Tully's Travel; Gary Hughes, Chairperson Board of Carlow County Museum; Bishop Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ferns, Ossory and Leighlin and Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin; Rev Tom Gordon, Dean of St Laserian's Cathedral, Old Leighlin and Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council.
Executive of the "Society of St Willibrord of Britain and Ireland" visiting the Museum in May
In the morning, all the senior classes in the primary schools within the Cathedral Parish were invited to the Cathedral for a service at 12 noon. That night at 7.00pm an ecumenical service in St Laserian's Cathedral was led by the Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Ossory, Cashel, Ferns, Lismore, Waterford and Leighlin along with the Most Reverend Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. This was followed by a lecture by Professor Daibha O Croinin, Department of History, NUI Galway on Clonmelsh, Willibrord, and Carlow's Contribution to the Anglo-Saxon mission on the continent in the 8th century. A large crowd of up to one hundred and eighty people were in attendance.
The Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Leighlin and the Most Reverend
Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin leading the service in St Laserian's Cathedral
In late February Coiste Chontae Ceatharlach C.L.G hosted the GAA National Congress in Mount Wolseley Hotel in Tullow. Delegates attended from every county across the island as well as from GAA associations abroad. On the first day of the Congress, Friday 26th February Aogan O Fearghail, President of the GAA unveiled a display case compiled by Carlow County Museum and the Carlow County GAA Board in the hotel lobby. The display case featured several the former county championship trophies including the Haughney and Fr. Lalor Cups which the Coiste Chontae Ceatharlach C.L.G. have previously presented to the Museum. Over the next while this display case will be remounted in the Museum and displayed as part of an enhanced GAA exhibition.
Pictured at the unveiling of the display case by Aogan O Fearghail, President of the GAA in Mount Wolseley Hotel including Gary Hughes, Chairperson of the Board of Carlow County Museum, Cllr. Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Sean Campion, Chairperson of Coiste Chontae Ceatharloch C.L.G and Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator.
On Tuesday 13th and Sunday 18th September UTV and UTV Ireland broadcast a one-hour episode of "Lesser Spotted Journeys" which featured the Leighlinbridge and Bagenalstown areas of the county. In early 2016 the show's producers contacted the Museum who suggested a number of potential speakers to be interviewed on different aspects of that areas heritage. Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator was interviewed during the programme along with Martin Nevin in Leighlinbridge; Rev Tom Gordon in St Laserian's Cathedral; Myles Kavanagh in Bagenalstown; Arthur Keppel on the River Barrow and Louise Doyle in Carlow and Edwina Hayden with the Presentation Band. Westway Film Productions produced the programme which was researched in January with the assistance of the Museum and was recorded over a number of days in February. Link to the UTV Player: http://player.utv.ie/programme/lesser-spotted-journeys/492114
TripAdvisor 2016 "Certificate of Excellence 2016"
The Museum has received a TripAdvisor "Certificate of Excellence 2016". TripAdvisor, claims to be the largest travel site in the world, with more than 60 million members and over 170 million reviews and opinions of hotels, restaurants, attractions and other travel-related businesses. Its reviews are submitted by members of the public and based on these reviews a business receives a rating. This is the first time the Museum has been awarded their "Certificate of Excellence".
International Pan Celtic Festival
In April Carlow town hosted for the third time the International Pan Celtic Festival. The Museum hosted daily Storytelling Sessions, conducted Museum tours and a Lucinda Sly Walking tour.
"Is Leor Beirt" Ciorcal Gaeilge
The Museum has been hosting the Glor Cheatharlach weekly sessions "Is Leoir Beirt". This has been highly successful and brings in a variety of people on a weekly basis to speak conversational Irish. In early May, Feargal O Cuilinn from Glor Na nGael, Dublin presented Glor Cheatharlach with a Bonn Oir (Gold Medal) for Carlow at their weekly Irish conversation circle in the Museum. On Wednesday 12th October the session was broadcast live across the web as part of the 'Comhra16', the annual initiative to keep an Irish language conversation ongoing around the world for 170 hours continuously.
CHAS School Projects
On Wednesday June 15th the winners of this year's Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society History Project Competition had their hard work and fantastic research recognised at a prize giving ceremony in Carlow County Museum. The history competition which is now in its tenth year was open to all Fifth and Sixth Class pupils who live or attend school in County Carlow. Scooping the top prize this year was Eoin Cummins from Ballinkillen National School with his project on Dolmens in County Carlow. In second place was Katie Brooks from Ballon National School with her project on The Adelaide Memorial Church. Joint third place went to Dylan Cass from Ballinkillen National School with The Blackstairs Blitz and Hannah Curry from Ballon National School with her project on the Cranavane Well. The winning competition entries are on display in the Museum.
Bertie Watchorn, President of the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society
and Jim Shannon, competition judge with the winners of the 2016 Carlow Historical
& Archaeological Society's History Project Competition.
Alongside the Museum's two full time staff and shared staff member with the Library there is presently two Tus participants, Thomas Doyle and John Riordan. Kelly Mooney, Graduate Employment Scheme is working on Carlow Ireland 2016 and Heritage Week 2016. In December, the Museum organised the 5th annual Museum Volunteer Party, held in the Delta Centre, and it was attended by many of the Museums dedicated volunteers who assist the Museum on an ongoing basis.
Visitor Numbers 2016
The Museum has recorded 20,929 visitors to the Museum and Tourist Office during 2016. This is the biggest ever annual visitor number recorded for the Museum. This does not include attendance figures at events that the Museum organised or were part of outside the Museum premises.
Seamus Murphy
Founder member of the Museum and former member of the Museum Board Mr. Seamus Murphy died in September. He was an Honorary Member of the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society (CHAS), a former President of CHAS, a founder member of the Museum, a member of the Museum Board from 2005 to 2012 and was part of the CHAS delegation who negotiated with the Town Council to take over the operations of the Museum.
Banners and Signage
The Museum has updated its eight external banners on College Street with five Museum branded banners, two of them in Irish; two Tourist Office banners and a Failte Ireland new "Ireland's Ancient East" branded banner. A new bilingual sign has been added over the front door of the building and improved internal signage to assist visitor flow through the Museum and Tourist Office.
Carlow Chamber Awards
The Museum was short listed in the annual Carlow Chamber of Commerce awards in the "Carlow Tourism Award (Attractions and Activities)" category which was held in the Shaw Theatre on Thursday 30th September. Congratulations to the Delta Sensory Gardens who were the winner of this category.
Museum Brochures Translated
The Museum's main brochure has been translated into four European languages: French, Italian, German and Spanish. The brochure is already available in Irish.
Culture Night
On Friday 16th September "Culture Night" was celebrated across the country. Carlow's activities were coordinated through the Carlow Arts Office. The Museum hosted a concert by the Carlow Youth Orchestra conducted by Majella Swan. Twenty-five members of the orchestra performed in the Museum with over fifty people in attendance.
Carlow Youth Orchestra performing in the Museum under the baton of Majella Swan.
On Wednesday 30th November last in the National Library of Ireland, Heather Humphries TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs launched the Local Authority Museums' Network (LAMN) exhibition "1916, Across the Country" along with the Irish Museums Associations "Irish Museums Survey 2016". The LAMN exhibition features all twelve local authority museums with a panel about a person or event from that particular county with a 1916 connection. The Carlow exhibition panel features Nurse Kehoe with a future panel in the Museum on Bridget Connolly.
The LAMN have also launched a short video on the LAMN and the benefits of the local authority museums. Filming for part of this video was undertaken in the Museum with three of the Museum staff featuring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsmZwPA4CQo
The UCD Library and Archives - Kevin Barry
UCD Library and UCD Archives have digitised two collections of material relating to Kevin Barry. The Kevin Barry Papers, held in UCD Archives, contain material associated with his days at Belvedere College, his year as a medical student in UCD, and his brief time in custody at Mountjoy Gaol before execution. The majority of the collection is composed of material gathered after his death by Kathy Barry Maloney, Barry's sister. The papers of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee, purchased at auction by the UCD Students' Centre and held in UCD Archives, comprise the papers and correspondence of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee, who were formed to raise funds to create a memorial to Kevin Barry. The memorial was a large stained glass window by the famous Harry Clarke Studios was unveiled in 1935 in Earlsfort Terrace. In recent years it was moved to the new Health Sciences Centre at Belfield campus. Both collections are now publicly available in the UCD Digital library at:
http://www.ucd.ie/library/finding_information/digital/kevinbarry/ and
http://www.ucd.ie/archives/collections/depositedcollections/items/collectionname,235235,en.html
A travelling exhibition of four information panels about Kevin Barry and the digital collection is on display in Carlow College, St Patrick's, College Street, Carlow Town since the 25th October to the 28th November. The exhibition was organised in association with Carlow County Museum.
A public lecture on "Kevin Barry and his world" took place in Cobden Hall in the College on Monday, 28 November from 1.45. The lecture was given by Professor Eunan O'Halpin, Professor of Contemporary Irish History at Trinity College Dublin. He is a grand nephew of Kevin Barry.
The four information panels on display in Carlow College were commissioned to accompany the release of the digital collection and contain a brief biography of Kevin Barry authored by Prof. Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor of Modern Irish History at UCD and a panel about the creation of the memorial stained glass window.
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Carlow County Council, Athy Road, Carlow. R93 E7R7 Tel. +353 59 9170300. |