Mayo museum recognised for meeting highest standards in museum care

The achievements of eleven Irish museums, including the Knock Museum in Mayo, have been formally recognised recently through the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) at a special awards ceremony in Kilkenny Castle.

MSPI is an accreditation programme that supports museums and cultural heritage collections across Ireland to achieve and maintain the highest standards in how they are managed, how they care for their collections, and how they engage with the public. It supports both large and small institutions, from volunteer-run local museums to national cultural institutions to build strong foundations in governance, collection care, exhibitions, education and visitor services.

Of particular note is the Knock Museum which has maintained its Full Accreditation, the highest level of recognition available through the programme. This achievement reflects the important role the museum plays in capturing the unique story of the Knock Apparition of 1879.

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Established in 1973, the museum has welcomed millions through its doors. It places the Apparition in the context of life in 1879 Ireland, from living in the thatched house to working in the forge. The large-scale model of Knock village offers a fascinating insight into the historical and social context of the Apparition.

Since it began in 2006 with just a handful of participants, MSPI has grown into a nationwide programme supporting nearly 70 museum sites. Museums work over a number of years to meet 32 professional standards and are assessed through a rigorous, independent process.

This year, eleven museums are being recognised for achieving accreditation through the MSPI programme. Their hard work and dedication highlight the importance of protecting and sharing Ireland’s rich heritage. Each museum has undergone a detailed assessment to show how they meet the required standards and how they serve their communities, visitors, and collections.

Launching the ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O Sullivan TD, said:

“It is an honour for me to open today’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland accreditation awards ceremony and to celebrate the incredible impact that our museums, galleries and historic objects and places make across the country.

"The diligent care and attention demonstrated by the eleven accredited museums to protect our heritage, and the interpretation they have curated to enable our heritage to be better and more easily understood, is commendable. The achievements of these museums prove that we can hold our heads high with the best in the world, confident that we are professional, thorough, knowledgeable and ambitious for our cultural heritage institutions.”

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Addressing the accredited museums, Chair of the Heritage Council, Martina Moloney, said: “Museums and cultural heritage collections play a profound role in our national conversation. Cultural heritage collections and the audiences they serve are a fundamental focus of MSPI and professional standards are a vehicle through which we can insure these values.

The work done by our accredited museums is invaluable in upholding these standards. The Heritage Council will continue to do everything it can to create the conditions for cultural heritage collections, museums, galleries and heritage sites to evolve and thrive.”

Pictured above is Fr Richard Gibbons holding the accreditation certificate alongside colleagues at the Knock Museum with Síle Seoige (right), Virginia Teehan CEO of the Heritage Council (second from right), Martina Moloney, Chairperson of the Heritage Council (left) and Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O Sullivan, TD (second from left).