That Roscommon County Council recognises the strategic need to develop a Designated County Museum and resolves to identify and secure a town-centre site in Strokestown, in line with Town Centre First policy.

The Council will engage with the National Museum of Ireland and relevant stakeholders to progress designation, and advance a feasibility study for a museum located near Strokestown Park House and the National Famine Museum, which already attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually from across the world, as a priority capital project delivering cultural, tourism and economic benefits for the County.

Notice of Motion from Cllr. Crosby

That Roscommon County Council recognises the strategic need to develop a Designated County Museum and resolves to identify and secure a town-centre site in Strokestown, in line with Town Centre First policy. The Council will engage with the National Museum of Ireland and relevant stakeholders to progress designation, and advance a feasibility study for a museum located near Strokestown Park House and the National Famine Museum, which already attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually from across the world, as a priority capital project delivering cultural, tourism and economic benefits for the County.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

The Heritage Council, in its publication “Museum Standards Programme for Ireland – Standards and Guidelines” defines museums as follow:

Museums are not for profit institutions that collect, safeguard, hold in trust, research, develop and interpret collections of original objects and original objects on loan, for the public benefit. They function publicly as places where people learn from and find inspiration and enjoyment through the display and research of original objects.

The Standards and Guidelines outline the requirements for Museums under 7 headings including:

1. Constitution and policies

2. Museum management

3. Caring for the collection

4. Documenting the collection

5. Exhibition (long term and temporary)

6. Education

7. Visitor care and access

Under Section 68 (2) of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 the Director of the National Museum of Ireland may, with Ministerial consent, designate local museums as appropriate places for the curatorial care of State-owned archaeological objects that are predominately of local rather than national interest. Again, there are very strict standards required to be considered for designation.

Currently, there are over 240 museums in Ireland – including 12 in Roscommon. Of these 240 museums, 56 have applied for, or have obtained, accreditation under the Museum Standards Programme.

The provision of a County Museum would be a very significant undertaking in terms of capital investment in the first instance and once delivered, in terms of operational logistics. As well as the maintenance and operation of a specialised climate-controlled building with facilities for collections, research, storage, managing visitors, etc., there would be a requirement for permanent qualified staff to carry out the functions of the museum to the required standard to maintain accreditation and designation.

There are 12 museums designated under the National Cultural Institutions Act in Ireland, of which 7 are County Museums. The operations of each of the 7 County Museums are subsidised by their Council at an average rate of €474,000 per year and within a range of €300k to 600k per annum based on the 2026 Revenue Budgets.

There does not appear to be a source of funding for either the capital cost or the operation cost of a County Museum. However, it is recognised that Roscommon does have a rich cultural and built heritage and that there are many collections that would be of local interest if accredited and designated facilities were available. In that regard, the Council will seek to identify and apply for funding to advance a feasibility study for a County Museum.

Cllr. Crosby stated that proposals for a County Museum had been close to agreement approximately 20 years ago, prior to the economic downturn. He referred to the number of artefacts originating from County Roscommon that are currently held by the National Museum of Ireland due to the absence of an appropriate facility locally and advised that a County Museum could allow for their return and display. He highlighted the heritage significance of Strokestown, including its designation under the Town Centre First policy, proximity to Rathcroghan, and the growth of Strokestown Park House and the National Famine Museum. He advised that he was willing to make available, at no cost, the ground floor of a privately owned building in Strokestown town centre (approximately 4,000 sq ft) for the purpose of a County Museum. He also referenced significant local artefacts, including the Luna Collar and the Tully Lough Cross.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan seconded the motion and referred to the loss of artefacts from the County over time. He acknowledged the level of recent investment in Strokestown and stated that a County Museum would complement existing heritage attractions, including Rathcroghan, Strokestown Park House, King House, the Percy French Centre, and the birthplace of Douglas Hyde.

Members supported the motion and raised the following points:

·        Expressed unanimous appreciation of Cllr Crosby’s offer

·        Welcomed the commitment to progressing a feasibility study

·        Acknowledged the potential cultural, tourism, employment, and community benefits of a County Museum

·        Noted that over 565 artefacts associated with County Roscommon are currently held in storage by the National Museum of Ireland

·        Referenced specific artefacts of local significance, including Kilbegly Mill and the Dugaragh Wheels

·        Commended existing visitor centres, including Elphin Wind and Farm Museum, Tulsk Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, and Derryglad Folk Museum, and called for continued support

·        Proposed consideration of a vintage or classic car museum

·        Praised local community efforts in the preservation and restoration of artefacts

Cllr. Crosby thanked the Members for their support, reaffirmed his offer and advised that additional adjacent ground floor space was available, if needed, and reiterated that this gesture is in appreciation for the people of Strokestown’s support down the years.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan highlighted that funding would need to be available in order to advance the feasibility study.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

           SECONDED by Cllr. Callaghan

It was AGREED to support the motion.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Connolly

           SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to extend Standing Orders to 5.50pm.