Museums & Archive
Museums & Archive Content
Collections of diverse objects such as books, coins, vintage cars, boats and farm machinery provide a link with our past. The preservation of such collections is an important part our Museums and Archive work.
The Legal Context
The Museums and Archive Committee acknowledges existing legislation in the museum and archives areas.
Under Archives, the main legislative impacts are:
- The National Archives Act, 1986
- Local Government Act, 1994, Section 65
- Local Government Act, 2001, Section 80. This states clearly that ‘it is a function of a Local Authority to make arrangements for the proper management, custody, care and conservation of local records…’.
Additional legislation has had impact on the above, including:
- Freedom of Information Act, 1997
- Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2003
- Planning and Development Act, 2000
- Data Protection (Amendment) Act, 2003
- Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005
Such Acts all impact heavily on the record-keeping practices of Local Authorities and must be acknowledged in the development of Local Authority archives services.
It is expected that new Guidelines for Local Authority Archives Services will acknowledge The Electronic Commerce, Act, 2000 and other e-government initiatives.
A limited range of Statutes pertains to the Irish museum sector, with nothing defining the operation of museums outside the National Cultural Institutions www.irishstatutebook.ie. The main legislation is The National Monuments Act, 1930 and various Amendment Acts (1930-2004) along with a range of Statutory Instruments (1930-2005), together with The National Gallery of Ireland, Acts, 1854-1997.
HERITAGE IN YOUR AREA
Select your county from the drop-down list below for more information about heritage projects in your area.
MUSEUMS & ARCHIVE EVENTS
Exhibition - Ranks Mills at the Hunt Museum, Limerick
Ranks Mills was crucial to Limerick life over a span of several decades. It also provided an excellent example of life and work in Limerick’s recent past.
more events
MUSEUMS & ARCHIVE PUBLICATIONS
A Policy Framework for the Irish Museum Sector
The Heritage Council is currently developing a Standards and Accreditation Scheme for the Irish museum sector. The aim of this scheme is to assess quality assurance in our collecting institutions. Run by the Museums and Archives...