County Carlow Military Museum

County Carlow Military Museum
Iarsmalinn Mhíleata Chontae Cheatharlach
Location within Ireland
Established 1995
Location Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland
Coordinates 52°50′36″N 6°55′43″W / 52.84345°N 6.92865°W / 52.84345; -6.92865Coordinates: 52°50′36″N 6°55′43″W / 52.84345°N 6.92865°W / 52.84345; -6.92865
Type Military museum
Curator Paul Maguire
Website www.carlowmilitarymuseum.tk

County Carlow Military Museum (Irish: Iarsmalinn Mhíleata Chontae Cheatharlach) is a museum dedicated to the military history of County Carlow and its people. It is located in the Church on the grounds of St. Dympna's Hospital in Carlow town.

History

The County Carlow Military Museum was founded in 1995, and was originally based in the Carlow town FCA Headquarters, opening in 1996. The impetus for the Museum's foundation was the death of local man and soldier Donie Cunnigham in a helicopter crash in 1995. The displays began with his uniform as a memorial, and the collections expanded from there.[1] The Museum and its collections moved to the Church of St. Dympna’s Hospital in 2001.[2] The Church itself dates from the 19th Century,[3] and contains stained glass by German artist August Weckbecker.[4][5]

Contents

A large proportion of the Museum's collections is given over to the Irish Defence Forces, with a number of uniforms displayed from the Defence Forces, the Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War. The exhibitions also detail the Irish involvement in United Nations peacekeeping, on mission to Congo, Lebanon and Somalia. A full-scale replica World War I trench has been built as part of the displays on the Irish involvement in the War, as from County Carlow over 500 men were killed and 2000 injured in the war.[6] Other objects featured pertain different military corps with connections to Carlow, such as the Drums of the 8th Militia Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps.[2][3][7] Many Carlow people who went abroad as soldiers are featured in the display, such as Myles Keogh from Leighlinbridge.[1] Another display is dedicated to the history of armoured vehicle production in Carlow during World War II, with a newer display exploring soldiering in medieval times.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Museum shines spotlight on Carlow's military history". Carlow People. 2 September 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 "County Carlow Military Museum". Ask About Ireland. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 "County Carlow Military Museum". The Barrow. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "WECKBECKER, AUGUST". Dictionart of Irish Architects 1720-1940. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  5. ↑ Heary, Gary (29 January 2013). "Pope's artist who came to Carlow – and whose work is now in danger". The Carlow People. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  6. ↑ Lee, Elizabeth (22 July 2014). "Military museum marks WWI with series of events". The Nationalist. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  7. ↑ The Liffey Press (2006). The Museums of Ireland: A Celebration. Dublin: The Liffey Press. p. 36. ISBN 1904148883.
  8. ↑ "County Carlow Military Museum (History)". Irish Museums Association. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
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