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KILLARNEY’S Muckross House, Muckross Traditional Farms and Muckross House Research Library along with Kerry County Museum and Seanchai “Kerry Writers’ Museum” have been recognised by the Museum Standards of Ireland.

Muckross House, Muckross Traditional Farms and Muckross House Research Library and Kerry County Museum retained the Full Accreditation they had previously been awarded, while Seanchaí “Kerry Writers’ Museum” was awarded Interim Accreditation.

The Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI), which started in 2006 with just 12 participants, now has 57 museums across the island of Ireland, participating in it. The programme recognises excellence in caring for collections, museum management, education, exhibition and visitor services.

Muckross House, Muckross Traditional Farms and Muckross House Research Library have participated in the Programme since the pilot study and its three sites were among the first to be awarded Full Accreditation in the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) in 2007. This is the second time it has submitted applications to confirm maintenance of the thirty-four MSPI Standards.

By doing so, the Trustees of Muckross House continue to demonstrate their commitment to first class care of its collections and to the Programme. The commitment of staff to retaining accreditation was clear in the standard of the information provided in the applications and during the assessment visit. Following a difficult period, because of the financial collapse, visit numbers are now improving year on year, which is increasing the income generated. The State, the Trustees and all the staff should be congratulated for maintaining a high quality service throughout a difficult period. In addition, they have managed to improve the services they offer to visitors and continue to plan future developments.
 

 
Above: At the presentation of awards by the Heritage Council’s Museum Awards Standards Programme (MPSI) are Patricia O’Hare, Geraldine Rosney, Michael Larkin, Denis Reidy and Senator Paul Coughlan representing Muckross House, Muckross Traditional Farms and Muckross House Research Library, with Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys TD, and Chairman of the Heritage Council, Michael Parsons.