- National Maritime Museum of Ireland
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National Maritime Museum of Ireland 
Museum exteriorEstablished 1978 Location Haigh Terrace, Dún Laoghaire Type Maritime Public transit access Dart to Dún Laoghaire, buses Website Maritime Institute of Ireland 
Mariners' Church being refurbished (2008).
Same view, after phase two (February 2010).The National Maritime Museum of Ireland (Irish: Músaem Mhuirí Náisiúnta na hÉireann) opened in 1978 in the former Mariners' Church in Haigh Terrace, near the centre of Dún Laoghaire town, southeast of Dublin city.
The church was built in 1837 for seafarers and remained open until 1971. In 1974 the Church of Ireland and the Maritime Institute of Ireland signed an agreement that led to the museum's opening.[1]
Popular exhibits include:
- The Irish Lights: this exhibit is dominated by the Baily Optic from the Baily Lighthouse on Howth Head, which was in use from 1902 to 1972. It includes some inventions of John Richardson Wigham.[2]
- The Great Eastern display: a history of the SS Great Eastern (designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel) including items belonging to its captain Robert Halpin and a clockwork model of the ship.
- Artefacts recovered from the wreck of the RMS Leinster and some contemporary accounts of the event. It was torpedoed in 1918 off the Kish lighthouse, within sight of Dún Laoghaire. Over 500 people were drowned. There are mirror-backed half-models of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company's ships: Irish ships during World War II. There is a collection of paintings by Kenneth King and the bullet-holed flag of the MV Kerlogue.
In July 2011 two stained-glass windows by artist Peadar Lamb were installed in the former church, sponsored by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.[3]
The Museum has been refurbished. In 2006 substantial funding was authorised by the Government for capital expenditure to cover the cost of the refurbishment, however this funding has since been cut off, and the Museum is now dependent upon donations and voluntary help.[4] It is scheduled to reopen officially in March 2012, although it has been open since the 70th anniversary of the Maritime Institute,[5] on a preview or invitation basis since 16 October 2011.
References
- ^ Dún Laoghaire - Maritime Museum
- ^ Maritime Institute of Ireland
- ^ Irish Times, 27 July 2011. Accessed 1 August 2011
- ^ Maritime Institute of Ireland
- ^ Maritime Institute of Ireland
External links
Museums and Galleries in the Republic of Ireland An Post Museum · Craggaunowen · Chester Beatty Library · Cobh Heritage Centre · Connemara Heritage and History Centre · Crawford Municipal Art Gallery · Donegal County Museum · Donegal Railway Centre · The Douglas Hyde Gallery · Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane · Dublin Writers Museum · Galway City Museum · Hunt Museum · Irish Jewish Museum · Irish Museum of Modern Art · James Joyce Centre · James Joyce Tower and Museum · Kerry County Museum · Kilmainham Gaol · Marsh's Library · Museum of Country Life · National Gallery of Ireland · National Leprechaun Museum · National Library of Ireland · National Maritime Museum of Ireland · National Museum of Ireland · National Photographic Archive · National Print Museum of Ireland · National Transport Museum of Ireland · National Wax Museum · Natural History Museum · Pearse Museum · Science Gallery · State Heraldic Museum · Temple Bar Gallery and Studios · Waterford Museum of Treasures
Coordinates: 53°17′32″N 6°7′55.4″W / 53.29222°N 6.132056°W
Categories:- Buildings and structures in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
- History museums in the Republic of Ireland
- Museums in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
- Maritime history of Ireland
- Museums established in 1978
- National museums of the Republic of Ireland
- Maritime museums in the Republic of Ireland
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