COLLECTIONS

The exhibitions in the museum have been designed to display and explore a history of Irish agricultural life from the turn of the 18th century until the middle of the 20th Century.

Curator's Choice
This exhibition is comprised of a range of objects which represent a cross section of the entire collection - a sneak preview of what's in store!
Transport
The transport exhibition traces the development of horse-drawn vehicles in Ireland and finishes with the quirky, bright yellow Renault R4 GTL.
Harry Ferguson Tractor Display
This display follows the development of the modern tractor and in particular the history of Harry Ferguson and the Ferguson System. It includes five tractors and a selection of Ferguson implements and accessories.
The Garden Room
Maintenance of lawns in large gardens and around stately homes was often done early in the 20th Century by pony-drawn mowers. This exhibition showcases small hand-pushed lawnmowers up to the electric hover mower (the Flymo, 1966).
Power Driven Barn Machines
A century ago power driven barn machines and line shafts were common place in creameries, factories and large farms before the introduction of electricity. This display includes barn threshers and oil engines among other objects.
Sugar Beet Room
The sugar beet industry was a thriving and important part of rural life in Ireland for many years until very recently. This room shows the cultivation and harvesting of sugar beet from the manual system of the 1920s to the total mechanisation of harvesting by 2000.
Bicycle Display
The bicycle display exhibits a variety of bicycles dating from 1885 - 1965. This room includes bicycles made by Pierce's of Wexford who were primarily farm machinery manufacturers. They produced a bicycle which quickly failed due to price competition from abroad.
The Great Famine
The Great Famine is considered to have been the worst social disaster in 19th Century Europe. It has had a profound lasting effect on Irish history, culture and identity. This exhibition traces the economic, social and scientific aspects of the Famine and outlines its importance in Irish and European history.
Village Crafts Exhibition
Comprising of 6 large scale replicas of craft workshops such as the Blacksmith and the Basket maker. This exhibition highlights the crucial role and function of crafts people in the village community.
Johnstown Castle Estate: A History
This exhibition traces the origin and development of this magnificent estate from the 12th Century up until modern times. It highlights the most important people and events that have been a part of its fascinating history.
Equestrian Room
This room, which was originally the harness storage room, has been restored to reflect its original use. It displays an assortment of sporting and working horse harnesses.
Picture Gallery
The picture gallery showcases a variety of trade prints, posters and photographs which uniquely document the changing history of agriculture in Ireland.
The Dairy
Dairying is one of the timeless industries, producing the same product as it has done for thousands of years. This exhibition traces developments in dairying from hand milking to mechanical milking machines. Adjacent to this room we explore the traditional methods of butter-making.
Poultry Keeping
Up to recent times most farms kept a selection of hens, ducks, geese and guinea fowl. These provided an extra source of income for the household.
Managing the Land
Managing the Land consists of 4 sections: Ploughing, Sowing, Crop Protection and Harvesting. These displays tell the stories of the changes and technological advances in crop cultivation through 1860 to 1950.
Irish Country Furniture
This exhibition showcases traditional rural furniture from a time when living conditions were cramped and families large. These designs were gradually replaced with the introduction of mass produced furniture. This is one of the largest displays of country furniture in Ireland and includes pieces such as settle beds, a hen coop dresser and sugan chairs.
The James O'Keefe Furniture Room
As you will see, Irish country furniture is generally functional in appearance. The only person known to produce highly ornamented rural furniture was James O'Keefe (1850-1923) - a local Wexford craftsman whose work is displayed.
Irish Country Kitchens (coming soon)

This exhibition will trace the dramatic improvements in living conditions and the changing role of women in the domestic sphere; benefits resulting largely from the process of electrification.
The exhibition will comprise of three large-scale replica kitchens, which were typically in use in rural Ireland in 1800, 1900 and 1940-50s. These kitchen replicas will be complimented by a vast and varied range of domestic household objects and early electrical appliances.