Kilmainham Gaol Museum recognised for High Standards of Management, Care of Collections and Visitor Services under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI)

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is pleased to announce that Kilmainham Gaol Museum, has received full accreditation in recognition of high standards of management, care of collections and visitor services, by the Heritage Council under its Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI).

The purpose of the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland is to benchmark and promote professional standards in the care of collections and to recognise through accreditation the achievement of those standards within the Irish museum sector. The MSPI sets out to improve all aspects of Ireland’s museum practice and to raise the standards of care for collections across Irish museums and galleries.

Commenting on the Full Accreditation achievement, of Kilmainham Gaol Museum, OPW; MSPI Assessors said:

“They are broadening the context of the Gaol within the modern world by using temporary exhibitions and events. Kilmainham Gaol Museum continues to be understood during its historical periods, together with the opportunity to engage with contemporary events that help visitors appreciate the complexity of the period.”

Speaking about the Kilmainham Gaol Museum, MSPI accreditation, Mr. Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief said:

“Given the current state of the Irish tourism industry, especially in rural and regional Ireland, it is vital that the cultural experience we are offering visitors is of the highest quality possible. The Museum Standards Programme is an important initiative to maintaining these high standards and practices.

“Being honoured with Full Accreditation represents a great achievement for Kilmainham Gaol Museum and the OPW, we would encourage more of our sites to participate in the future.”

Kilmainham Gaol Museum is one of three Irish museums to be awarded the top standard of Full Accreditation this year, which requires complying with all 34 designated standards under the MSPI. It takes approximately five years to achieve all the standards and now, of the seven OPW participants in the programme six museums, have achieved Full Accreditation.

Speaking about what the accreditation means for Kilmainham Gaol Museum, collections curator Brian Crowley said:

“Achieving Full Accreditation under The Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) marks a real milestone in the development of Kilmainham Gaol Museum. It is the culmination of years of work by the Museum’s staff, both past and present. Kilmainham Gaol Museum and its historic collections occupy a uniquely important position in the story of Ireland. Participating in MSPI has enhanced our ability to care for this precious legacy and share it with generations to come.”

UPCOMING EVENT

As a part ‘Older Than Pride’, Dublin Pride Festival, on Wednesday, June 24th at 2pm, Brian Crowley, collections curator, Kilmainham Gaol, will be hosting a virtual tour of the museum. Streamed on the Dublin Pride Facebook page, the tour will explore the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender prisoners associated with the building. LGBTQ+ people have played leading roles in the struggle for Irish independence and many of them found themselves prisoners in Kilmainham as a result of their political and revolutionary activities.

Older Than Pride events run by Dublin Pride for those over 50years to bring them together for afternoon tea to culture events and tours and much more. Find out more www.DublinPride.ie

ENDS

For further information contact pressoffice@opw.ie

Kilmainham Gaol Museum recognised for High Standards of Management, Care of Collections and Visitor Services under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI)

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