#MuseumWeekend II

There are so many museums and heritage sites that I love. Inspired by #MuseumWeekend I’ve decided to do a short series (this is the second of three) highlighting some of the places I found fascinating while researching The Darkness Echoing and while working on museum exhibitions. You can find out more about them by clicking on the links (or even better by buying a copy of The Darkness Echoing and using it to guide you on your way around Ireland’s history and heritage!)

Not all sites are open (and those that are have certain restrictions) so make sure to check websites or call in advance to make sure you’re not off on a wild goose chase (it has happened to me many, many times!)

Nano Nagle Place, Cork

I’m biased because I was involved in the development of the museum here, and Jessie Castle and I created the ‘Changing Habits: 250 Years of Convent Life’ exhibition that’s now on display (until the end of November). But even if I wasn’t involved I would recommend a trip here, not only to learn about the remarkable story of Nano Nagle, but also to see this historic site, which was largely closed to the public for over two centuries. In the temporary exhibition you will learn about what it was like to be a nun over the last 250 years and you can see (and touch) replica habits on display.

Cork City Gaol, Cork

I’ve been here many times and really like it. The audio tour is engaging and nicely paced . The visit is informative and entertaining….but the real draw is the old prison itself and the chance to step inside the cold, forbidding cells and perhaps catch a glimpse of the prison’s ghost. Recently the grounds have been opened so you can know walk around the perimeter of the jail and see the old infirmary and the debtor’s gaol too.

King John’s Castle, Limerick

The Castle has a lot of interactive and informative, all-singing, all-dancing exhibits. It’s particularly strong on the 17th century – lots of battle and sieges, but there’s also a lot to be learnt about the history of Limerick. And you get to walk the Castle Ramparts (and see Thomond Park in the distance).

Ulster Folk Park, Holywood, Co. Down

This is a great day out. Travel back in time and go back a century to wander around a town complete with churches, shops, cinema, bank and police station. Stop off at the sweet shop and the café and then head off to the countryside to see farmhouses and farm animals. Many of the buildings are original, others are detailed replicas. There are demonstrations of traditional crafts and costumed guides wandering the streets and lanes. I particularly love the interiors of the houses and cottages (and if you’ve time go and visit the Ulster Transport Museum across the road where you can Go Back to the Future (or at least see the original DeLorean!)

Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin

A place I return to time and time again….and not just for funerals. It’s even better now that it’s linked with the glorious Botanic Gardens. You can walk around the cemetery and gardens for free or pay for entry to the museum and a tour. There are all sorts of tours available, and if you’re feeling energetic you can even climb up the round tower that marks Daniel O’Connell’s final resting place and survey the north side of Dublin City. The cemetery contains the bodies of most of those you’ll have read about in history books from O’Connell to Parnell to Markievicz, Collins and de Valera, but it’s often the lesser known stories that are most engaging – make sure you learn about the business of grave robbing!

Titanic, Belfast 

This is not a cheap day out, but it is really well done. I’m always amazed at the interest in the Titanic. It seems odd to commemorate a great failure – surely the shipbuilders of Belfast would rather commemorate some of their great successes, but it seems there’s no money in that! But if you’ve any interest at all in the Titanic this is the place for you (the amount of information is quite overwhelming so factor in a long coffee break afterwards!)

Rock of Cashel , Co. Tipperary

Some people were lucky enough to have been able to go to the top of the Cathedral Tower...sadly it's no longer accessible to the public, but there's still Cormac Chapel to see and all sorts of tales to be told.

St Anne’s Church, Shandon, Cork

I love this place, not only because it’s my favourite Cork landmark, but also because it hasn’t become one of those generic experiences full of interactive panels and mannequins. It’s a little rough around the edges and you’ll learn a bit about the Church, a bit about Cork and quite a lot about Campanology. But really, it’s about the climb and the bells and the view. You can ring the bells (how the good folk of Shandon put up with the incessant largely tuneless bell-ringing amazes me). If you’re claustrophobic and don’t like heights it may not be the place for you, but for everyone else it’s great. One piece of advice – go when it’s likely to be quiet as passing people on the narrow stairs isn’t fun. And make sure you find the wooden ladder that brings you out onto the balcony (no one told me it existed on my first trip!)