National Maritime Museum of Ireland

National Maritime Museum of Ireland Irish: Músaem Mhuirí Náisiúnta na hÉireann
County Dublin
Museum exterior
Type:	Maritime museum
Location
Grid reference:	O24612847
Location:	53°17’32"N, 6°7’54"W
Town:	Dún Laoghaire
History
By:	Joseph Welland
	Maritime museum
Information
Website:	Maritime Institute of Ireland

The National Maritime Museum of Ireland opened in 1978 in the former Mariners' Church in Moran Park, located between the seafront and the centre of Dún Laoghaire, in County Dublin. The museum was officially re-opened in 2012.

History

The church was built by subscription in 1836, in pursuance of a donation of £1,000 for its endowment, for seafarers as the "Protestant Episcopal Mariners' Church at Kingstown Harbour". Due to the increasing importance of Kingstown (as the town was then known) and its harbour, it was considered necessary to have a Church to look after the spiritual needs of officers and sailors. The church, designed by the architect Joseph Welland (1798–1860), was consecrated on 25 June 1843. This initial building consisted of just the nave and transepts. Richard Brooke, the first chaplain, described it as "large and gaunt and lofty and ugly a satire on taste, a libel of all ecclesiastical rule, mocking at proportion and symmetry". From 1862 until 1867, the building was improved by the addition of the spire and lancet windows. The spire, designed by Raffles Browne, was added in 1865.

The chancel was added in 1884.

On completion, the Mariners' Church was then the principal Church of Ireland church in the town. It depended for its upkeep to a large extent on voluntary subscriptions, donations, bequests and the results of fund-raising efforts. Eventually though, in 1971, the church closed.

In 1974 the Church of Ireland and the Maritime Institute of Ireland signed an agreement that led to the museum's opening.

In 2006 substantial funding was authorised by the Government for capital expenditure to cover the cost of the refurbishment, however this funding has since ceased, and the museum is now dependent upon door receipts, fund raising events and donations. It is operated by volunteers and a community employment scheme provided by the Department of Social Protection. In July 2011 two stained-glass windows by artist Peadar Lamb were installed in the former church, sponsored by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. It reopened Tuesday 5 June 2012.

Exhibits

The Baily Optic

• The Irish Lights: this exhibit is dominated by the Baily Optic from the Baily Lighthouse on Howth Head, which was in use from 1902 to 1972. It includes some inventions of John Richardson Wigham.
• The Great Eastern display: a history of the SS Great Eastern (designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel) including items belonging to its captain Robert Halpin and a clockwork model of the ship.

Exhibition in the Museum

• Artefacts recovered from the wreck of the RMS Leinster and some contemporary accounts of the event. It was torpedoed in 1918 off the Kish Lighthouse, within sight of Kingstown. Over 500 people were drowned. There are mirror-backed half-models of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company's ships: RMS Ulster, RMS Leinster, RMS Munster and RMS Connaught.
• St Columba's Chapel: this area remembers Irish ships during Second World War. There is a collection of paintings by Kenneth King and the bullet-holed flag of the MV Kerlogue.

The Mariners Church building itself is also a major attraction.

Outside links

• [1]
• Maritime Institute of Ireland
• The Maritime Museum: Dún-laoghaire.com