County Carlow Military Museum
Iarsmalinn Mhíleata Chontae Cheatharlach | |
 | |
  Location within Ireland | |
| Established | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Location | Athy Road,Carlow,Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°50′36″N6°55′43″W/ 52.84345°N 6.92865°W |
| Type | Militarymuseum |
| Curator | Paul Maguire |
| Website | carlowmilitarymuseum |
County Carlow Military Museum(Irish:Iarsmalinn Mhíleata Chontae Cheatharlach) is a museum dedicated to the military history ofCounty Carlowand its people. It is located in the former church on the grounds ofSt. Dympna's HospitalinCarlowtown.
History[edit]
The County Carlow Military Museum was founded in 1995, and was originally based in the Carlow townFCAHeadquarters, 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 building at St. Dympna’s Hospital in 2001.[2]The building dates from the 19th century,[3]and contains stained glass by German artistAugust Weckbecker.[4][5]
Contents[edit]
A large proportion of the museum's collections comprises material related to theIrish Defence Forces,with a number of uniforms displayed from the Defence Forces starting from the foundation of the state and ending with uniforms currently in use. There are also displays detailing Carlow's involvement in theIrish War of IndependenceandIrish Civil War.The exhibitions also detail the Irish involvement inUnited Nations peacekeeping,on mission to Congo,LebanonandSomalia.
A full-scale replicaWorld War Itrench 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 BattalionKing’s Royal Rifle Corps.[2][3][7]
Many Carlow people who went abroad as soldiers are featured in the display, such asMyles KeoghfromLeighlinbridge.[1]
There is another display entailing both Carlovian and international involvement inWorld War II.
A display has also been put together detailing medieval Carlow, including reproduction suits of Medieval armor and arms. In 2013 a scale model of Carlow Castle was unveiled as part of this display.[8]
The museum also contains a display entailing Carlow's involvement in theIrish Rebellion of 1798featuring replica uniforms and weapons, along with original artifacts from the period, such as an originalBrown Bess musket.
References[edit]
- ^ab"Museum shines spotlight on Carlow's military history".Carlow People. 2 September 2004.Retrieved31 May2015.
- ^ab"County Carlow Military Museum".Ask About Ireland.Retrieved31 May2015.
- ^ab"County Carlow Military Museum".The Barrow.Retrieved31 May2015.
- ^"WECKBECKER, AUGUST".Dictionart of Irish Architects 1720-1940.Irish Architectural Archive.Retrieved31 May2015.
- ^Heary, Gary (29 January 2013)."Pope's artist who came to Carlow – and whose work is now in danger".The Carlow People.Retrieved31 May2015.
- ^Lee, Elizabeth (22 July 2014)."Military museum marks WWI with series of events".The Nationalist.Retrieved31 May2015.
- ^The Liffey Press (2006).The Museums of Ireland: A Celebration.Dublin: The Liffey Press. p. 36.ISBN1904148883.
- ^"County Carlow Military Museum (History)".Irish Museums Association.Retrieved31 May2015.