Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
72. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether she will engage with Cork City Council to progress a museum or commemorative facility recognising the impact of the docks and dockers in Cork city. [34712/23]
View answerI am aware of the interest in the development of a maritime museum which would reflect the history of our island and the surrounding seas. This would possibly include the early voyages of exploration from Ireland, patterns of settlement, the development of our towns and cities, the growth of trade and the role of regional and trans-Atlantic shipping in our national story. Special themes such as the disaster of the Spanish Armada, the tragedies of the Titanic and the Lusitania, and the emigrant trail would be of popular interest. Such a museum could also include the social history of the communities that derived their living from or on the sea. It could also acknowledge the current activities of services such as the Naval Service, the Coastguard, the Irish Lights and the lifeboats. There would also be scope to educate and inform on relevant sustainability issues, our responsibility to protect and conserve our marine heritage and the potential for the application of science to derive energy and other benefits from the sea that would contribute towards our sustainable future living.
My Department is aware of currently unconnected projects in development by a number of museums around the country in relation to marine and maritime heritage from visitor and heritage centres to R&D and energy capture. These initiatives draw attention to the affinity of many people for the sea and our marine traditions. I strongly believe the role of museums is not only to preserve our heritage but also to stimulate interest and inspire people to consider anew the patterns of the past with a view to betterment.
My Department is currently engaged on an ambitious programme of refurbishment and development of the National Cultural Institutions which will continue to make full use of the resources available through the capital programme in the coming years. Nonetheless, the scale and significance of an appropriate national Maritime Museum would require careful consideration and detailed planning over an extended period. While the primary focus of my Department and the National Cultural Institutions in the medium term is on the delivery of the projects already included in the National Development Plan, officials in my Department would be available to engage with the City Council in Cork if it wished to explore options for a project of this nature.
