| NEWS
A different
look! (1/12/2011)
We are doing a bit
of work both inside and outside the building, so you will see some changes
when you next visit. Have you noticed that we have lowered the hedge this
is beside the wall to the front of the building? Keep checking for updates,
to see what else is happening in the museum!
Scoil Cheoil 2012 (25/11/2011)
Dates for your diary
- next year's Scoil
Cheoil an Earraigh takes place here in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh
(with many of the events taking place here in the museum) from 15-19 February
2012.
Recent projects in
Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne (8/11/2011)
Thanks to grant assistance
from the Heritage Education, Community and Outreach Scheme 2011 of the
Heritage Council,
work has been taking place for several months now on the development of
a new temporary exhibition, which will be on display in the museum during
2012, about the Whales and Dolphins to be found in the coast around Corca
Dhuibhne. The exhibition is based mainly on the work of Nick Massett,
of the Irish Whale and Dolphin
Group, who has been recording sightings in this area for several years.
Our other recent project has
been the designing of a brochure illustrating many of the examples of
(mainly) public sculptures that can be seen in Dingle and the western
part of Corca Dhuibhne. This brochure, which will be launched soon, was
grant-aided under the Scheme to assist Local and Regional Museums funded
by the Department
of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The overall design is by Laurence
Jones, and photography by Siobhán Dempsey, Latitude Imaging. In
conjunction with the brochure, we also plan to develop a page here on
the web site which will provide further information about many of the
pieces, and perhaps some others too. Further details to follow.
Féile
Bheag Filíochta 11- 13 November 2011 (21/10/2011)
We are delighted to
again support the Féile Bheag Filíochta (Little
Poetry Festival) which will take place in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh
and Dingle on the week-end of November 11. Although conducted mainly through
Irish, some of the events will take place in English. Further information,
including the full programme, can be found here.
Winter opening
(8/9/2011)
The museum will be closed from Monday 12 September until
Easter time 2012. However, we will be open from 10.00 - 12.00 next Thursday
15 September, to take part in Ireland's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid
of the Irish Hospice Foundation.
We can open by appointment
(generally weekdays only); please contact us by phone (066-915633) or
email -
or by post if you prefer!
Final Cultural
Interlude (6/9/2011)
Our very last session
for 2011 will be taking place next Sunday, 11 September, at 3.00. Our
entertainers will be Ceolteoirí an Buailtín, a group of
local traditional musicians. We hope they will give the series a great
send-off! In association with Fáilte
Ireland.
The next Cultural
Interlude (30/8/2011)
Our penultimate Cultural
Interlude (in Association with Fáilte
Ireland), takes place next Sunday, 4 September, at 3.00 pm, when Breandán
Ó Beaglaoich and his family will entertain us. The Begley's are
well-known musicians, both home and abroad, and Breandán no less
than any other of his siblings. This time he will be playing with his
own adult children, in a set that is sure to entertain all lovers of Irish
music, and those who just enjoy hearing instruments well played, and songs
well sung! Bí ann gan teip!
Some photos from our 4th Cultural Interlude
Heritage Walk
(30/8/2011)
A very successful
walk took place last Sunday morning, as part of our events for National
Heritage Week. Among the group were 15 trainee teachers, in the area for
a few weeks on an Irish language course, as well as locals, and visitors
from other parts of Ireland and abroad. We were very lucky with the weather,
with only a couple of light showers, and everybody had a good time and
hopefully made some new friends, as well as learning a little bit about
several aspects of the heritage of Béal Bán beach and Smerwick
Harbour.
At
the ogham stone at Ballinrannig
Setting
out across Béal Bán beach
At
the Dún an Óir memorial
View across Smerwick Harbour from Dún
an Óir
Cultural Interlude
4 (in association with Fáilte
Ireland) (23/8/2011)
Our next Cultural
Interlude, on Sunday 28 August, from 3.00 - 4.00 will see Damian Mullane
(a champion button accoridanist), Donagh Hennessy (Guitar) + Sláine
Ní Chathalláin, singer providing the entertainment. As this
session will take place during Heritage
Week, there is no charge for entry to the museum. The following week,
on Sunday 4 September, our performers will be Breandán Ó
Beaglaíoch & family. The Begleys are well-known musicians,
and this should be a great afternoon's entertainment - as are all of the
sessions!
Earlier on, Sunday
next, 28 August, a 'Heritage Walk' will take place, leaving the museum
at 10.30, to be back c. 12.30. As this is again to celebrate Heritage
Week, there is once again no charge for this event. Bring suitable rain
gear and strong shoes.
Cultural Interlude
3 (in association with Fáilte
Ireland) (18/8/2011)
Our next Cultural
Interlude, on Sunday 21 August, from 3.00 - 4.00 (and we promise to have
you out before the Match is over!) will see Bernie Pháid Ní
Mhuircheartaigh (Singer and accordian player),
Jeremy Spencer (Violin) & Breanainn Ó Beaglaíoch (Guitar)
providing the entertainment. The following week, on Sunday August 28,
we will have Sláine Ní Chathaláin (singer), Damian
Mullane (accordian) and Donagh Hennessy (Guitar). And, as both these sessions
will take place during Heritage
Week, there is no charge on either Sunday for entry to the museum.
Eoin Duignan, his daughters Lia and Ava, and Ciara De Mórdha performing
during a recent Cultural Interlude.
National Heritage
Week (16/8/2011)
There will be Free Entry to the museum on Sunday 21 August
and again on Sunday 28 August, to celebrate National Heritage Week. On
both those Sunday afternoons (as well as again on Sunday 4 and Sunday
11 September) you will be able to experience a 'Cultural Interlude' from
3.00 - 4.00 in the museum, in association with Fáilte
Ireland.
On Sunday 28 August,
at 10.30 a.m., we will leave the museum to go on a Heritage Walk, visiting
some archaeological sites and enjoying beautiful scenery and good company.
Both English and Irish will be used during the walk. Please wear suitable
strong shoes (for walking on the beach and on grass), and also bring rain
gear. All welcome and no charge for this event.
The Next 'Cultural
Interlude' (9/8/2011)
Our next 'Cultural
Interlude' takes place next Sunday 14 August. The performers will be Eoin
Duignan, Uillin Pipes/Whistle, his two daughters, Ava & Lia, violins
and Ciara de Mórdha, singing. The event begins at 3.00 pm. In association
with Fáilte Ireland.
In Association
with Fáilte Ireland (26/7/2011)
We are delighted to
announce an added attraction to those visiting the museum any Sunday afternoon
from 3.00 - 4.00, starting on August 7, with the final session on September
11. You will be entertained by groups of performers - musicians, singers,
storytellers, who will add to your enjoyment of a visit to the museum,
and help you learn a little more about the culture of the area. There
will be no extra charge for this entertainment.
As part of the same
project, similar types of entertainment will also be happening in the
Blasket Centre, Dún Chaoin, every Wednesday afternoon also at 3.00,
beginning on Wednesday 10 August, with the final session on Wednesday
7 September. Here the emphasis will be more on music and song associated
with the Blasket Islands.
To launch this series
of added attractions in these two venues, an evening's entertainment will
take place in the Blasket Centre at 8.00 on Wednesday 3 August. Everybody
welcome!
We are delighted to
acknowledge the financial help given by Fáilte
Ireland in organising these added extras for our visitors, and hope
they will be of great enjoyment to all.
Heritage Week,
20th – 28th August 2011 (16/6/2011)
The Heritage
Week web site for 2011 is now live. On it you can find out about special
activities that might be organised in your area, and elsewhere in the
country. We will have free entry on Sunday 21st and again Sunday 28th
August, and are arranging a Heritage Walk on Sunday 28th (see events).
News
(4/5/11)
The museum will re-open
for the summer season on Saturday June 4 at 10.00 am.
Open Day!
(4/5/2011)
Comharchumann Forbartha
Chorca Dhuibhne, the Ballyferriter-based community development organisation
(and our parent organisation), will hold an Open Day in the museum
from 2.00 – 8.00 on Wednesday, 11th May 2011. Comharchumann
Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne employs several full-time and many part-time
workers locally, generates a substantial income for the local economy
from year to year and is Irish-language centred. All are welcome to attend
during the afternoon to learn about or ask a question about the work/initiatives
of the organisation or its subsidiary companies, Community Employment
Schemes with FÁS, Coláistí Chorca Dhuibhne who run
the Summer Colleges, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne who run the local Museum
and Heritage initiatives and organise Irish Language Support and Training
schemes/courses for adults, Dovinia – a local film-making company
and Gaeltachtaí na Mumhan Skillnet who organise in-house training
for employees in Gaeltacht-based companies. These services and projects
are made possible by the support of the Department of Arts, Heritage and
the Gaeltacht, by Údarás na Gaeltachta and by many other
organisations.
Féile
na Cásca / Easter Art Exhibition (29/3/2011)
This year's Art Exhibition
has a new venue, Halla Ceann Trá (Ventry Hall), about 4 miles from
Baile an Fheirtéaraigh. The exhibition begins on Easter Sunday,
24 April, and continues until the following Sunday. The theme of the children's
art is once again the Pan Celtic Festival, which again takes place in
Dingle this year. Further details can be obtained here
in pdf format.
2011
Opening! (24/3/2011)
We are delighted to
announce that the museum will be opening on Saturday 16 April
2011, and will remain open over the Easter Holiday period, until
Monday 2 May. Our full summer season will begin in June, date to be confirmed.
We will be open each day from 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. Looking forward
to seeing you!
New Facebook
page (24/3/2011)
We have opened a 2nd
Facebook page,
Dingle
Peninsula Museum, which will have more English content than Irish.
Our original page, Músaem
Chorca Dhuibhne, will continue as well, but with more of the content
as Gaeilge.
Publicity
Pop-up! (17/2/2011)
Last year, as part
of the Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Sport Grant Scheme to assist Local
and Regional Museums, we were awarded funding to commission the design
of a publicity pop-up for the museum. Look out for it at different venues
throughout the area. It will probably get its first airing during Féile
na Cásca, the Easter Art Exhibition, which this year moves to the
new venue of Halla Ceann Trá (Ventry Hall), and will open on Easter
Sunday, April 24, and continue until Sunday May 1. Further information
about Féile na Cásca can be downloaded here.
Our new pop-up
Programme
for 2011 Scoil Cheoil festival available here
(31/1/2011)
Several
of the events, including the opening on the evening of February 23, will
take place here in the museum. Download the programme for all the information!
Web site
now available in 5 languages! (Jan
5, 2011)
We are delighted
to announce that you now have a choice of 5 languages in which to view
this web site, having added French, German and Spanish. This was made
possible thanks to a grant from the Department of Tourism, Culture and
Sport. Also grant-aided, under the Department's 'Scheme to Assist Local
and Regional Musuems' were some new display cases, an advertising 'pop-up',
and the translation of the museum main exhibition text into Spanish.
We are very grateful to the Department for this valuable help in enhancing
and promoting the museum.
Congratulations
to Scoil Cill Mhic a'Domhnaigh!
Hearty congratulations
to Lucia, the Spanish teacher, and to the pupils and teachers of Scoil
Cill Mhic a'Domhnaigh for their position as one of 4 finalists in the
Colegio Español del año - the Spanish School of the Year.
Their entry, which included a trip to the Museum to discuss Spanish
connections with the area, has won a trip for 2 teachers to Salamanca
for a week, to attend a Spanish course and to take part in cultural
activities. Enhorabuena!
Funding
awarded to translate web site into French, German and Spanish
We are delighted
to announce that a grant has been sanctioned to Músaem Chorca
Dhuibhne, by the Cultural Institutions Unit of the Dept of Tourism,
Culture and Sport, to translate the museum exhibition text into Spanish,
and to provide our web site in German, French and Spanish. Hopefully
all will be completed by the end of the year.
Story-telling
and Singing Festival for the Young People of Corca Dhuibhne/
Féile
Scéalaíochta is Amhránaíochta Óige
Chorca Dhuibhne 2010
Féile Scéalaíochta
is Amhránaíochta Óige Chorca Dhuibhne 2010 took
place in Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne on May 19 and 20. The Story-telling
Competition began at 7.00pm on Wednesday 19th May, and the Singing Competition
began at 7.00 pm on Thursday 20th. For further details, please contact
Máire Uí Shithigh, mus@cfcd.ie
or phone 066-9156100.
Visit by
students of Scoil Cill Mhic a'Domhnaigh
The museum was delighted
to welcome a group of students from Scoil Cill Mhic a'Domhnaigh on February
25, 2010, along with their Spanish teacher, Lucia, and their headmaster,
Seán. Lucia had prepared a quiz for the students, exploring the
connections between Corca Dhuibhne and Spain, using the exhibits and
artefacts in the museum as a source for the answers.
We are delighted
to help use the resources of the museum in this way, and welcome enquiries
from other school groups who might like to visit the museum at any time
during the year. The curator can be contacted at 066-9156333 or at info@westkerrymuseum.com.
Students from
Scoil Cill Mhic a'Domhnaigh exploring the museum.
Launch of
2010 Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh
The launch of the
2010 Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh
will take place in Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne at 8.00 pm on Wednesday
17 February. Breandán Feirtéar will do the honours,
and there will be plenty of music and singing as well. All welcome!
Also as part of
the Scoil Cheoil, a Coffee Morning in aid of Crumlin's Children's Hospital,
Dublin, will take place at 10.45 on Sunday, 21 February.
Please support this good cause!
New Worksheet
available for 2010
A third worksheet
in our series, this time on a Pilgrimage theme, will be available to
visitors to the museum this coming season. All these sheets have been
developed with the aid of funding from the Heritage Council, and have
been designed by Paul Francis. Information about the other worksheets
can be obtained on our Education page.
Launch of
Conair Oidhreachta Chorca Dhuibhne/Dingle Peninsula Heritage Trail
The Museum, Ionad
an Bhlascaoid Mhóir (the Blasket Centre) and An
Díseart have come together, thanks to a grant from the Department
of Arts, Sport and Tourism, to offer a discount voucher to visitors
to the area in the form of a Heritage Trail visiting each of these three
exciting venues. With these vouchers it will be possible to get up to
40% discount off the cost of normal entry to the venuse (terms and conditions
apply). The vouchers were launched in October 2009, and will be widely
distributed throughout the peninsula in time for the 2010 season. Be
sure to look out for them!
At
the launch of Conair Oidhreachta Chorca Dhuibhne/Dingle Peninsula Heritage
Trail were Mícheál de Mórdha, Manager,
The Blasket Centre, Isabel Bennett, Curator, Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne,
Muireann Nic Giolla Ruaidh, Manager, Benner’s Hotel,
Dingle, who launched the brochure, TP Ó Conchúir, Manager,
Díseart and Pádraig Firtéar, Comharchumann Forbartha
Chorca Dhuibhne. (Photo courtesy Ted Creedon, The Kerryman.)
Facebook
Page
The Museum is now
on Facebook. 
Coffee Morning
in aid of Hospice
Once again a successful
and enjoyable Coffee Morning was held in the Museum, in aid of the Hospice,
on September 15 2009. This is an annual event, so look out for it again
in mid-September 2010.
Heritage
Week 2010
As usual, the museum
will be free to visitors on the two Sundays of Heritage Week, August
22 and August 29. Last year a new event was added to our calender. On
Saturday 29 August 2009, one of the few fine days of that month, luckily,
Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne/Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne staff guided
a group along Slí na Dúnta, one of the recently launched
Heritage Walks. A wonderful morning was had by all. It is planned to
have a similar event to celebrate Heritage Week 2010, which takes place
from 21-29 August.
Visit by
the Heritage Council to Corca Dhuibhne
Músaem Chorca
Dhuibhne was honoured to be one of the venues visited by members of
the Heritage Council on their recent trip to Corca Dhuibhne. The museum
has benefited considerably over the years through grants, awards and
much and advice and assistance from Council, and was delighted to be
able to welcome the group on their visit to the area in June 2009.
Launch of
Heritage Walk Guides
Three bilingual
Heritage Walk guides were launched in the Museum on Wednesday 27 May,
2009. The launch was performed by Síle Gorman, Chairperson, Comharchumann
Turasóireachta Chorca Dhuibhne (the Dingle Peninsula Tourism
Co-operative), and of Gorman's Cliff Top Restaurant and B&B.
Isabel
Bennett, Curator, Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne, Caitríona Ní
Cathail,
Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne and Síle Gorman, Dingle Peninsula
Tourism at the launch of the Heritage Walk Guides.
Following the launch,
the attendees accompanied staff of the Museum and of Oidhreacht Chorca
Dhuibhne on a selection of the walks. This was followed by refreshments
back at the museum.
Museum Standards
Programme for Ireland
Músaem Chorca
Dhuibhne awarded Interim Accreditation in the Museum
Standards Programme for Ireland at a ceremony in Árus na
hOidhreachta, home of The Heritage
Council in May 2008.
Michael Starret,
Chief Executive, the Heritage Council, presents the certificate signifying
the awarding of
Interim Accreditation to Isabel Bennett, Curator, Músaem Chorca
Dhuibhne and Máire Uí Shithigh,
Development Officer, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne at a ceremony in Kilkenny,
May 2008.
The Museum Standards
Programme consists of a series of detailed, and rigorous, minimum standards
and objectives that recognise international best practice in museums.
The programme has
been developed over a period of pilot phases and responds to the specific
needs of the Irish museum sector. The sites listed herewith have volunteered
to actively participate in the programme and to promote its aspirations
of which the professionalisation of Irish museum practice is to the
fore.
This is being achieved
through thorough assessment procedures, training workshops together
with a post-graduate education programme.
Recent improvements
to the museum carried out with generous grant aid from the Heritage
Council included:
* the provision
of new, updated information labels on the shell collection
* the purchase of two further high-standard display case
* the purchase of two more dehumidifiers
* the improving and re-printing of a work-sheet for children
* the rebinding and repair of some of the more important books in our
library
* the purchase of further archival storage materials for the museum
photographic collection.
* upgrading the alarm system.
Online Catalogue
Much work was carried
out in the summer of 2007 to photograph items in the collection with
a view to preparing an on-line catalogue. (This work was carried out
with generous grant aid from The Heritage Council). Work has begun on
developing an on-line catalogue of the museum collection.
New Exhibitions
Geology
A small but pertinent geology exhibition was recently
installed,
devised and mounted by Dr Richard Unitt,
University College, Cork.
Seashells
The
shell exhibition, part of the Michael Long collection, has been recently
revised,
with new labelling and improved identification (by Dr.
Julia Nunn, Ulster Museum).
Travelling
Exhibitions 2008
From 15th August
to 12th September 2008 an exhibition devised by the Royal Society of
Antiquaries of Ireland, in conjunction with ENFO "Our Heritage
- A Shared Inheritance" was on display in the museum. The exhibition
tells about our built heritage which encompasses the places where people
were born, lived, learned, farmed, fished and traded, we all can play
our part in defining, preserving and examining our heritage.
Some of the prints from the Leabhar Mór exhibition
on display recently in Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne.
Translations
A translation of
the main museum exhibition text is now available in Polish, French,
German and Norwegian, as well as in Irish and English.
Worksheets
The museum has a
policy of developing worksheets on various topics which connect the
Museum to the sites and monuments in the surrounding area. These are
available in Irish or in English, and are suitable for older primary
school students, as well as older students and learners of Irish at
all levels.
To date, the following
worksheets are available:
There is a work-sheet
based on the museum’s display.
There is a worksheet
about the monastic site at Riasc, excavated during the 1970's, which
is close to the museum, is also available, again in Irish or English.
Artefacts from the site are on display in the Museum.
The most recent
worksheet to be published (autumn 2009) is that on the subject of Cill
Maolchéadair and Cosán na Naomh/The Saints' Path. It is
currently only available from the museum but will shortly be made available
to download.
Continuing the series
of worksheets, the development of which is part of the Education Policy
of the museum, it is hoped to develop a further example on the subject
of Spanish Connections with the area/Dún an Óir.
We appreciate continued
grant aid from the Heritage
Council which assisted in the preparation of these resources.
Magazine Review
Músaem Chorca
Dhuibhne received a very complimentary review in a recent issue of History
Ireland. To read the review in .pdf format, please click here.
The museum was also
reviewed in Museum
Ireland Vol. 13, 2003, the journal of the Irish
Museums Association.
You can read an
article by the curator of the museum and Patricia O’Hare (Muckross
House) about their joint experience with involvement in the Heritage
Council Museum Accreditation Pilot Study (the forerunner to the Museum
Standards Programme for Ireland) in The
Kerry Magazine issue 15, 2005.
Bain
taitneamh as do thuras!
WE HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR VISIT!
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