The contribution that the people of Dundalk and County Louth have made to the County Museum’s impressive collection is the focus of its 20th anniversary exhibition: “Celebrating 20 years – A Story Unfolds”, which was officially opened yesterday by Mr Conor Newman, Chairperson of the Heritage Council of Ireland.
The County Museum, Dundalk, a former distillery and later a tobacco warehouse, was officially opened on March 28, 1994 by then Uachtarain na hEireann, Mary Robinson.
In the years since the opening of the museum, the people of the region have loyally supported the facility, adding to its collection by donating family records, images and artefacts of times gone by so that this history and knowledge is available to current and future generations.
County Curator, Brian Walsh, explained that the most appropriate way to celebrate the museum’s twentieth anniversary is by including the people who have made it such a success by donating items to the Museum.
“The County Museum here in Dundalk has been a real success right from the beginning, thanks to the support of many local people. We have mounted many major exhibitions over the years. We were the only museum in the country to hold an Olympics Exhibition in 2012 and we were the first museum in Europe to introduce virtual technology. Later this year we will become the first museum in the country to get our 1916 exhibition up and running.
“Without a shadow of a doubt a huge part of our success has been the support we received from the people of Louth. They have worked with us wherever possible in building a remarkable archive of local history here.
“We came to the conclusion that the best was to mark the anniversary is with an exhibition which will highlight a fascinating selection of the vast number of items placed in the care of the museum over the past two decades by local people who recognise that this history should be shared with as many people as possible.
“It is the museum’s way of recognising the contributions made, saying thanks and emphasising that it is for all of the people,” added the curator.
Mr Walsh went on to thank Conor Newman for officially opening the anniversary exhibition in his capacity as Chairman of the Heritage Council. It was an opportunity for him to see for himself just what the museum has to offer.
“We did have the then president at our opening in 1994, though we have to recognise that our current Head of State, President Higgins, is making history himself this week in London. We would like to have him pay us a visit during our anniversary year and I hope he will be able to accept our invitation,” added Mr Walsh.
‘Celebrating 20 years – A Story Unfolds’ will remain open to the public at the County Museum Dundalk from April to September during normal opening hours.
For further information contact the County Museum at 042 9327056.
