On Saturday 11 February, the museum opened its doors for the first time at a weekend in winter. Until now, the museum has always been closed at weekends from November to March. The museum will now be open seven days a week year round.
Curator Matt Wheeler said, 'We are delighted to extend our opening hours for visitors. People can be confident that whatever day it is, rain or shine, we will be open for business.'
The tea-room will also be open during the winter with a reduced service available of drinks, cakes and biscuits. The full service will resume on 17 March.
Launch of new Season Ticket scheme
On Saturday, 22 October Peter Miller, Chairman of the Museum, launched a new season ticket scheme for 2012. Visitors now have a choice of a 'Gardens only' ticket or a combined 'Gardens & Museum' ticket with separate categories for invididuals, couples or families. He said they make the perfect Christmas gift for anyone wanting to buy someone special a 'gift with a difference'. The tickets are available now from the museum reception.
Lakin Family visit the castle and museum
The Lakin family recently paid a visit to the castle and museum. Richard Lakin with his wife and three children took the opportunity to have a go look round the estate which was previously owned by their ancestors. Richard's father Victor (grandson of Lady Fitzgerald - the last resident at the castle) gifted the castle and estate to the nation in 1945. They were all impressed with the castle, grounds and museum.
Pictured are Richard Lakin (2nd left) with his family plus Matt Wheeler Curator (far left), Museum Chairman Peter Miller (2nd from right) and Museum Secretary Dr Austin O'Sullivan (far right).
Museum features on national TV
The museum and castle gardens were featured on TV3's 'Ireland AM' breakfast show in the 'Unravel Travel' bulletin. Follow this link for more information:-
We have a few new additions to our family of peacocks. Twol chicks were born last year and are doing well so far.
'Country Kitchens' officially launched
On Friday 17 June 2011, our 'Country Kitchens' exhibition was officially launched by Eugene Callaghan (pictured right), Executive Head Chef of Kelly's Hotel, Rosslare. Around 40 guests were in attendance including previous Curator Sharon Quinn who had researched and co-ordinated the display.
Museum Chairman Peter Miller thanked Sharon for all her work whilst at the museum. He also thanked Teagasc for their continued support of the museum and new Curator Matt Wheeler and his team for organising the event.
Korean TV crew at museum
On Friday 17 June, a film crew from South Korea visted the museum. They interviewed museum founder and Hon Secretary Dr Austin O'Sullivan in our 'Great Famine' exhibition. The crew were touring Ireland to film various sequences for a documentary programme about the potato.
Conserving old machinery
Martin from the museum team is pictured here using a compressor to clean up this old threshing machine made by Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries. He'll then spray the machine to prevent any pesky woodworms nibbling it. We hope, in the future, to display some of our larger agricultural machines.
New Acquisition for Museum
The museum has just acquired a significant new addition to its already extensive collection. Staff were delighted to take delivery of a cart which is described as a 'goose' cart as it was used primarily for conveying geese and poultry to and from a market or fair. The cart was acquired from Ambrose Stafford of Little Cullenstown who had owned it for around 20 years and even used it occasionally with a pony. It is belived that the cart originated from the west of Ireland.
Dr Austin O'Sullivan the Secretary of the Museum said, 'This is a multi-functional cart designed to be used every day but ideal for transporting poultry. I am delighted to hand over this historic artefact to our Manager / Curator Matt Wheeler.'
Matt said, 'Austin and I spent an enjoyable afternoon cleaning the cart at the owner's farm. We will give it further treatment now it's arrived at the museum and then put it on display in one of the galleries in a few months time.'
Pictured are Ambrose Stafford on the left and Matt Wheeler on the right.
