andMr. Horgan asked the Minister for Education if he will provide the House with a list of museum material which is on loan to other museums or institutions outside of Ireland; the names of the institutions involved; and the expected duration of the loans.
Written Answers. - National Museum.
269.
The museum material on loan to other museums or institutions outside Ireland is as follows:
Thirty-nine ethnographical objects from New Zealand, Tonga, Tahiti, Hawaii, Marquesas, etc. collected by Captain Cook during his voyages 1768-1779. These objects are at present on indefinite loan to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii.
About 50 items of British uniforms on indefinite loan to the National Arms Museum, London.
Treasures of Early Irish Art Exhibition of gold ornaments at present on exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, until 21 January 1979. This collection will later be exhibited in the Museum of Art, Philadelphia, from 26 February 1979 to 27 May 1979.
270.
andMr. Horgan asked the Minister for Education the number of objects from the National Museum collections that are being conserved by outside institutions.
None, at present.
271.
andMr. Horgan asked the Minister for Education why is it necessary to have objects belonging to the National Museum conserved by outside bodies.
In certain special cases, it is necessary to have objects belonging to the National Museum conserved by specialised techniques available only at certain outside institutions.
272.
andMr. Horgan asked the Minister for Education if he will give an assurance that records exist in the archives of the National Museum giving full scientific details of the precise treatment received by objects which have been conserved by outside institutions.
Yes.
273.
andMr. Horgan asked the Minister for Education if it is the practice of the National Museum to conserve objects for private individuals.
It is not the normal practice of the National Museum to conserve objects for private individuals. Exceptions have, however, been made in certain special cases.
274.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of a report in a Sunday newspaper (details supplied) that 10 of the 60 objects recently sent to the USA by the National Museum were in need of treatment; if he will identify the objects concerned; and if he will indicate the treatment taken.
I am aware of the report in question. In fact, 12 of the National Museum's objects in the "Treasures of Ireland" Exhibition underwent treatment prior to dispatch to the United States as follows:
1. Ardagh Chalice—Treatment of corrosion on one cell on the upper foot ring. Protective lacquer applied to outer surfaces.
2. Shrine of the Stowe Missal—Removal of wax behind side panels; cleaning of silver panels; inner wooden box re-struck; protective varnish applied.
3. Bronze Bell of Clogher—Protective varnish applied.
4. Kilmainham Brooch—Wax removed. Protective varnish applied.
5. and 6. Pair of Gold Armlets, Derrinboy—Organic material removed. Tarnish removed.
7. Sword Hilt, Ballyshannon—Protective varnish applied.
8. Bronze "Latchet" Brooch—Break re-struck. Protective varnish applied.
9. Bronze Shield, Lough Gur—Encrustation removed; damaged areas filled with plastic padding; protective varnish applied.
10. Bronze Pin, Clontarf—Loose fragment of silver inlay re-attached. Protective varnish applied.
11. Clonmacnoise Crozier—Loose silver inlay fragments re-struck. Protective varnish applied.
12. Ardcroney Gorget—Tarnish on left terminal removed.
275.
asked the Minister for Education the present whereabouts of the Leskean and Giesecke collections in the care of the National Museum; when they will next be made accessible to the public; and the conditions relating to public accessibility which were laid down by the RDS when the collections were donated to the State.
The Leskean and Giesecke Collections are, at present, stored in the Chapel of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.
It is intended that provision be made for access to these collections by the public in the new museum building in Merrion Row when the necessary arrangements have been made accordingly. In relation to the last part of the Deputy's question, I am making available, in the Oireachtas Library, a copy of the Instruments of 1896/97 under which the Science and Art Institutions in Dublin were constituted.