Our Collections

Museum collections.
[ photo: County Museum. ]

Museum Collections, divided on a themed basis for ease of information retrieval, provides details on a variety of different aspects to life in Carlow from both current and past events, activities and economic development as well as looking at some people who have made an impact at home or abroad. The themes are subdivided into several sections from sport to industry, transport, archaeology, personalities and events.

Carlow County Museum contains a growing collection of over five thousand items some of which are of national and international importance. Carlow County Museum works closely with the National Museum of Ireland, particularly in the area of archaeological finds. Since 2003, Carlow County Museum on behalf of the National Museum of Ireland collects archaeological finds from all over the County.

National Museum of Ireland

All archaeological objects found with no known owner are the property of the Irish State.

The National Museum of Ireland is the authority responsible for the care of all archaeological artifacts that are found with no known owner and they receive their powers from the National Monuments Act, 1930 and its subsequent amendments of 1954, 1987, 1994 and 2004. Also, under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 and the National Monument Act ( amendment ) 1994 the Director of the National Museum was given the power to desiginate the collection and display of archaeological material to County Museums which are operated by a Local Authority.

For County Carlow the Designation Person is the Curator of Carlow County Museum, Mr. Dermot Mulligan and he has the authority to collect archaeological artifacts from County Carlow on behalf of the National Museum of Ireland. Significiantly when the Museum reopens archaeological artifacts found in County Carlow can finally be displayed in the County in which they were found. Also under the Designation Status Carlow County Museum will be able to request archaeological artifacts previously sent to the National Museum to be returned to the County Museum for display.

If you have or find such on object please report it immediately to the County Museum, the National Museum or your local Garda station.

Archaeological Object

An Archaeological Object is an object " whether in a manufactured or partly manufactured or an unmanufactured state which by reason of the archaeological interest attaching thereto or of its association with any Irish historical event or person has a value substantially greater than its intrinsic ( including artistic ) value, and the said expression includes ancient human, animal or plant remains ". National Monuments ( Amendment ) Act 1994.