Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys T.D. Photo: © Michael Fisher

A scheme to help local and regional museums in Ireland to carry out small projects to improve their displays and make them more attractive for tourists has been approved by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys T.D. The 2015 Local and Regional Museums Scheme is designed to support small and medium-sized museums across the country.  

Monaghan County Museum. Hill Street Photo: © Michael Fisher

This year, the scheme will allow for the funding of small capital projects on a matched funding basis (75:25).  A total fund of 0,000 is being made available for suitably qualified museum development projects. Projects funded under the Scheme should seek to enhance the cultural offering of museums; to encourage greater access to museums and to promote the use of museums as tourism resources in their locality or region.

Monaghan County Museum. Hill Street Photo: © Michael Fisher

Minister Humphreys said: “the Local and Regional Museums Scheme provides a valuable funding stream for small and medium sized museums throughout the country, allowing them to stage exhibitions, promote and market their museums and generally improve their product offering.  These museums are central focus points within the community and it is vital that they are supported in their role as guardians and narrators of our cultural heritage. The funding provided under this Scheme over the past few years has allowed these museums to continue to enhance the presentation of their exhibitions and premises which in turn improves the cultural offering of the local communities they serve.” 

Monaghan County Museum. Hill Street Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan County Museum opened in 1974 becoming the first full time, local authority funded and professionally staffed museum in the country. The first Curator was Aidan Walsh. During its history it has seen many social, cultural and political changes both at a local and national level. These diverse changes are reflected in the museum’s collection of artefacts and displays.

Curator Liam Bradley (left) with author Christopher Fitz-Simon (centre) and Friends of Monaghan Museum Photo: © Michael Fisher

The museum staff headed by curator Liam Bradley are dedicated to the goal of ensuring that all its exhibitions and events are accessible to everyone. It has received many awards during its existence. It was the first Local Authority Museum in the country to achieve full accreditation under the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards programme for Ireland. This was a very worthwhile process for the museum to be involved in and was a huge testament to the commitment of the museum staff as well as the tremendous support received from Monaghan County Council and the Museum’s other stakeholders including the Museum Advisory Committee that Monaghan County Museum is now officially recognised as one of the most professionally run museums in the Republic of Ireland.

Monaghan County Museum. Hill Street Photo: © Michael Fisher