The National Museum's new premises at Collins Barracks in Dublin were officially opened yesterday by the Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera. The ceremony marked the completion of the first phase of a £30 million project involving restoration of two wings of the barracks.
Completed with the help of EU Structural Funds, it heralds "a celebration of the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Dublin city and the history of the National Museum", the Minister said. "For too many years a wonderful treasury of interesting and valuable articles has had to be hidden away from public view, because the facilities were not there to show them off."
Among the many artefacts on exhibit are King William's glove, which he wore at the Battle of the Boyne; the cabinet which Cromwell gave to his daughter Bridget as a wedding present; Wolfe Tone's notebook used while imprisoned in the barracks; and the cap worn by Daniel O'Connell while campaigning on repeal.
Ms de Valera praised in particular the restoration of Clarke Square, the quadrangle built from Wicklow granite and limestone in the early 1700s which is the focal point of the barracks in Benburb Street, and displays of contemporary exhibits. The work was carried out by the Office of Public workers with Pierce Contracting the main contractors.
The museum director, Dr Pat Wallace, said the development was the most significant for the museum in over 100 years. He listed its "great curators who dreamed of a day like this".
The chairwoman of the museum's interim board, Ms Barbara Nugent, said the new premises, acquired in 1994, were in a place of architectural splendour and steeped in history. The exhibits were "exciting, educational, understandable, relevant and entertaining".
The National Museum will retain its base in Kildare Street and house the archaeological collection, while Collins Barracks will house exhibits of the decorative arts and reflect the economic, social, political and military history of Ireland.
