At the awards presentation were, from left, Toddy Doyle, Muckross Traditional Farms, Patricia O’Hare, Muckross Research Library, Shelia Pratschke, Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council Ann Tangney, Head Guide Muckross House, Denis Reidy, Manager, Muckross House and Bernadette Randles, Trustee, Muckross House.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
Three attractions in Killarney have maintained full accreditation, for the third time, under the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland.
Muckross House, Muckross House Research Library and Muckross Traditional Farms make up the three sites which received accreditation.
The adjudicating panel said by preserving and caring for its collections and buildings, these sites collectively provide a deeply authentic and valuable insight into traditions and life in Ireland and Kerry from a number of vantage points.
Factors taken into account during the assessment process include how museums care for their collections and visitors, as well as governance and management standards, and their education and exhibition programmes.
Research and Education Officer at Muckross House and Council Member with the Heritage Council, Patricia O’Hare, said the Muckross sites were among the original museums to participate in the programme when it was initiated.
“It is very satisfying to see how much the programme has grown since then and how our own sites at Muckross have developed in tandem,” she remarked.
“The benefits of achieving and maintaining full accreditation by engaging in the programme have had a transformative effect on the quality of the collections and buildings we upkeep, as well as on the overall visitor experience across our three sites,” Ms O’Hare added.
