asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans for the establishment of a national folk museum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Folk Museum Establishment.
7.
The director of the National Museum is considering various proposals for the display of this important national collection, including regional displays at appropriate centres. The proposed museum complex at the Custom House docks will also provide an opportunity for a central display location for appropriate items. The director will shortly be making recommendations to my Department in this regard.
Is the Taoiseach aware that none of this national folk collection has been seen on exhibition since the sixties and that the entire collection, begun at national level in the fifties, has never been seen anywhere? In view of that, would he not consider it necessary — as distinct from whatever individual or selected items might appear in the Custom House area — that a national folk museum should be established?
That is what we intend doing at the Custom House docks site.
As I understand the position from the Taoiseach's reply, it is intended that selective items only should be exhibited there. Would the Taoiseach confirm that it is not intended that a national folk museum be included in the Custom House docks plan at this time?
It is intended, yes.
If the Taoiseach believes that the Custom House docks site is suitable, for example, for agricultural folk material, would he not agree that the site would not constitute the context within which one would normally expect to see traditional agricultural material and implements displayed?
It would be desirable and suitable, that, in a financial services centre of that kind, there would be a totally different type of institution, namely a folk museum; that is the thinking behind it — that it would have tremendous appeal to visitors to the site to have a folk museum located there.
Surely the experience of the Ulster Folk Museum, and other museums, would suggest that agricultural material at least should be displayed in an agricultural context where people would see the material as near as possible to its condition when actively in use; that while there is some folk material that undoubtedly would be quite suitable for display in the Custom House docks context, there is other folk material that would need to be displayed in a more rural setting?
There are. I was recently down in Muckross House in Killarney where there is a very varied display of agricultural objects. There will be a major folk museum on the Custom House docks site. The exact composition of the folklore museum there will be a matter which, with my usual humility and modesty, I will be prepared to leave to the experts.
Who are the experts in this matter?
The directors of the museum.
It is precisely on that last point that I wish to ask the Taoiseach another question. May I take it that the policy decision has been taken by Government that, in part, Stack A will be a national folk museum, the content and display naturally being a matter for experts? Is that what the Taoiseach is now telling the House?
Yes.
And that decision has been taken?
Yes.
Would the Taoiseach say what other sections of the National Museum it is intended to site in the Custom House docks area? Is the Taoiseach aware that the national folk collection — an excellent collection now located in Daingean — containing two, three or perhaps four items, practically the entire collection — could be located at other centres without taking in any way from that collection? Would he consider setting up folk museums throughout the provinces as a major tourist attraction? Naturally in that respect I would be particularly interested in the north-west region, which would constitute an excellent location for such a folk museum.
I more or less gave an indication of that in my reply.
As regards the other items contained in the national folk collection — for instance, ceramics and other items — does the Taoiseach envisage their going to the Custom House docks site as well?
Yes, it will be a general folk-type museum but its exact composition will be a matter for the museum authorities.
When will the exact plan be known?
The renovation of the building is under way at present.