Latest news with #TheHeritageCouncil
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Cork museum which honours pioneering woman earns national and global recognition
Nano Nagle Place which is situated in the heart of Cork city recently cemented its place as one of the country's most inspiring cultural landmarks. In the very same week that the Cork-based museum was awarded Full Accreditation under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) by the Heritage Council, it was also recognised with a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award for 2025, placing it among the top 10% of visitor attractions worldwide. Together, these two honours offer a powerful affirmation of Nano Nagle Place's impact, both within the museum sector and in the hearts of its visitors. Nano Nagle Place tells the extraordinary story of Nano Nagle, an 18th-century trailblazer who defied Ireland's oppressive Penal Laws to secretly educate poor Catholic children. At a time when such acts were illegal and dangerous, Nano risked everything to bring learning and dignity to those most excluded. Today, the museum stands as a vibrant blend of heritage and living values and has become a cultural landmark for both locals and visitors, continuing her legacy of courage, compassion, and justice. Full MSPI Accreditation is the highest standard of museum excellence in Ireland, awarded by The Heritage Council following a rigorous and comprehensive assessment process. It recognises best practice in areas such as collections care, visitor experience, governance, and educational programming. This achievement reflects years of dedicated work by the team at Nano Nagle Place, in close collaboration with the Presentation Sisters Congregational Archives, a shared commitment to preserving and sharing Nano's legacy with care, integrity, and purpose. 'Nano Nagle Place is more than a museum, it's a living legacy,' said John Smith, CEO of Nano Nagle Place. 'These awards are a powerful endorsement of our mission to honour a pioneering woman whose impact still resonates today.' ADVERTISEMENT This national honour has now been matched by global recognition. Based entirely on visitor reviews and ratings, Nano Nagle Place has received a 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award, an accolade that places it among the top 10% of attractions worldwide. This award is a powerful endorsement from the people who matter most, those who walk through the museum doors and experience the story first-hand. Susannah Ahern, Programme, Heritage & Education Manager at Nano Nagle Place said visitors often tell them they are surprised by how moved they are. 'Our museum doesn't just preserve history, it brings Nano's values to life, and that emotional connection really stays with people.' These recent honours shine a spotlight not only on the historical significance of Nano Nagle Place, but also on its continued relevance today. More than a museum, the site is alive with Nano's spirit, championing inclusion, education, and social justice through projects like the Lantern Project, the Cork Migrant Centre, the Men's Group, and a spirituality programme that honour Nano's vision of reflective action. As the only museum in Ireland dedicated to the life and legacy of a woman, Nano Nagle Place offers a powerful and inspiring visitor experience. In this unique space, history, hope, and heritage come together - and one woman's defiance in the face of injustice continues to light the way forward. To learn more or plan your visit, go to
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Cork museum which honours a pioneering woman earns national and global recognition
Nano Nagle Place which is situated in the heart of Cork city recently cemented its place as one of the country's most inspiring cultural landmarks. In the very same week that the Cork-based museum was awarded Full Accreditation under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) by the Heritage Council, it was also recognised with a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award for 2025, placing it among the top 10% of visitor attractions worldwide. Together, these two honours offer a powerful affirmation of Nano Nagle Place's impact, both within the museum sector and in the hearts of its visitors. Nano Nagle Place tells the extraordinary story of Nano Nagle, an 18th-century trailblazer who defied Ireland's oppressive Penal Laws to secretly educate poor Catholic children. At a time when such acts were illegal and dangerous, Nano risked everything to bring learning and dignity to those most excluded. Today, the museum stands as a vibrant blend of heritage and living values and has become a cultural landmark for both locals and visitors, continuing her legacy of courage, compassion, and justice. Full MSPI Accreditation is the highest standard of museum excellence in Ireland, awarded by The Heritage Council following a rigorous and comprehensive assessment process. It recognises best practice in areas such as collections care, visitor experience, governance, and educational programming. This achievement reflects years of dedicated work by the team at Nano Nagle Place, in close collaboration with the Presentation Sisters Congregational Archives, a shared commitment to preserving and sharing Nano's legacy with care, integrity, and purpose. 'Nano Nagle Place is more than a museum, it's a living legacy,' said John Smith, CEO of Nano Nagle Place. 'These awards are a powerful endorsement of our mission to honour a pioneering woman whose impact still resonates today.' ADVERTISEMENT This national honour has now been matched by global recognition. Based entirely on visitor reviews and ratings, Nano Nagle Place has received a 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award, an accolade that places it among the top 10% of attractions worldwide. This award is a powerful endorsement from the people who matter most, those who walk through the museum doors and experience the story first-hand. Susannah Ahern, Programme, Heritage & Education Manager at Nano Nagle Place said visitors often tell them they are surprised by how moved they are. 'Our museum doesn't just preserve history, it brings Nano's values to life, and that emotional connection really stays with people.' These recent honours shine a spotlight not only on the historical significance of Nano Nagle Place, but also on its continued relevance today. More than a museum, the site is alive with Nano's spirit, championing inclusion, education, and social justice through projects like the Lantern Project, the Cork Migrant Centre, the Men's Group, and a spirituality programme that honour Nano's vision of reflective action. As the only museum in Ireland dedicated to the life and legacy of a woman, Nano Nagle Place offers a powerful and inspiring visitor experience. In this unique space, history, hope, and heritage come together - and one woman's defiance in the face of injustice continues to light the way forward. To learn more or plan your visit, go to
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Irish Independent
A guided bus and walking tour of Sligo's rich Neolithic landscape has been organised by the county council
European Archaeology Days 2025 is a celebration of archaeology that takes place from 13-15 of June this year. Over 5,000 events will take place across 30 European countries. European Archaeology Days are coordinated by the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) and are co-ordinated in Ireland by The Heritage Council. The Sligo tour will be guided by Dr. Robert Hensey, Project Coordinator with Sligo County Council for the Sligo World Heritage Site bid. The event will take place on Friday 13th June 2025 at 10.30am (duration approx. 3 hours). Meeting at Sligo Retail Park, Carraroe. The tour will involve travel by bus and a guided walk at selected locations. Walking boots and weather appropriate clothing, fluids and snacks required. Please note that dogs are note permitted. While the event is free of charge, places are strictly limited (Max. 25), and booking is essential via Eventbrite.
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Wooden models believed to have secured win to build Cork's St Fin Barre's Cathedral go on display
Intricate wooden models which it's believed helped win the design competition for Cork's landmark St Fin Barre's Cathedral 163 years ago have been restored for public display for the first time. The models were brought to Cork by renowned English architect William Burges to help him compete in the prestigious 1862 international architectural competition to design and build a new cathedral to replace the existing cathedral which many felt was plain and featureless. Burges, who was 35 at the time, and known for his unique and sometimes unconventional style, was the unanimous choice out of over 60 entrants from Ireland, Britain, and the continent, with his design inscribed Non Mortuus Sed Virescrit — he is not dead but flourishing — a compact yet impressive French Gothic-style cathedral, narrow inside but soaring to a great height, with three spires. It's believed the wooden models, which showcased in physical form his ambitious vision for the new cathedral, help wow the selection committee. Burges went on to pour his heart and soul into the cathedral project, with meticulous attention to detail extended to every corner of the building, from the sculpture and mosaics to the furniture and metalwork. The foundation stone was laid in 1865 by Bishop John Gregg, and the cathedral was consecrated on St Andrew's Day, 1870. And while the winner's design was specified not to exceed £15,000, the final cost exceeded £100,000. A complete model of the exterior, which is now on display inside its custom shipping case. Burges acknowledged the cost overruns but told diocesan authorities that within 50 years, no-one would remember the price tag, and would instead be wowed by its beauty. He also gifted to the city the famous 'Resurrection Angel', made of copper and covered with gold leaf. With its soaring Cork limestone towers and spires, the cathedral is today one of the city's architectural wonders. Burges's wooden models have been in storage since — with some pieces in a cathedral strongroom and other pieces in the attic of a diocese property nearby. Three models Diocesan authorities believed they had two separate models until they sent the pieces to Conservation Letterfrack for restoration, thanks to a grant from the Community Heritage Grants Scheme, administered by The Heritage Council, where experts discovered there are actually three separate models. One is a complete model of the cathedral exterior, which is now on display inside its custom shipping case, the second focuses on specific architectural features of the western facade and north west tower, with the third a model of the cathedral's ambulatory area. The restored models were unveiled for public display on Tuesday by Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, with the help of pupils from St Fin Barre's National School and St Maries of the Isle National School. 'Quality craftsmanship' The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev Nigel Dunne, said The Burges Wooden Model Exhibition is a wonderful addition to the many historic cultural artefacts that are on display at the cathedral. 'As custodians of a large and internationally significant architectural archive, much of which remains in storage, I am delighted that we can now at last reveal these models to the public on permanent display in the Ambulatory of the cathedral,' he said. 'They have been described as being of the highest quality craftsmanship of the time and reveal more of the story of William Burges' deep commitment to bringing the highest quality design and materials to the construction of our beautiful place of worship.' St Fin Barre's Cathedral in Cork. The Lord Mayor also cut a ribbon to officially open a newly installed bike rack on the cathedral site to mark Bike Week Cork 2025. And he was told that the cathedral's breeding pair of Peregrine falcons, Solomon and Makeda, who have nested in the east tower, are due to hatch two eggs within the next two weeks. Read More A Cork hotel is on the hunt for four tradesmen after note from 1969 found in lobby walls
