Eleven Museums Recognised for Meeting Highest Standards in Museum Care

MSPI is an accreditation programme that supports museums and cultural heritage collections across Ireland to achieve and maintain the highest standards in how they are managed, how they care for their collections, and how they engage with the public. It supports both large and small institutions – from volunteer-run local museums to national cultural institutions – to build strong foundations in governance, collection care, exhibitions, education and visitor services.

Since it began in 2006 with just a handful of participants, MSPI has grown into a nationwide programme supporting nearly 70 museum sites. Museums work over a number of years to meet 32 professional standards and are assessed through a rigorous, independent process.

This year, 11 museums are being recognised for achieving accreditation through the MSPI programme. Their hard work and dedication highlight the importance of protecting and sharing Ireland’s rich heritage. Each museum has undergone a detailed assessment to show how they meet the required standards and how they serve their communities, visitors, and collections. Of particular note are three museums that have achieved Full Accreditation for the first time – the highest level of recognition available through the programme:

• The National Maritime Museum of Ireland in Dún Laoghaire is being recognised thanks to its exceptional commitment to preserving and interpreting Ireland’s maritime heritage, and for the dedicated work of its volunteers and staff in transforming the museum over recent years.

• In Sligo, The Model – Home of The Niland Collection has achieved Full Accreditation demonstrating diligence for its outstanding collection care and public engagement, especially in how it brings important Irish art to life for both local and national audiences.
  
  
• Nano Nagle Place in Cork has also reached Full Accreditation, reflecting the success of this award-winning site in balancing heritage preservation with dynamic education and visitor programmes that explore the social legacy of Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters.
  

Launching today’s ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O Sullivan TD, said:“It is an honour for me to open today’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland accreditation awards ceremony and to celebrate the incredible impact that our museums, galleries and historic objects and places make across the country. The diligent care and attention demonstrated by the 11 accredited museums to protect our heritage, and the interpretation they have curated to enable our heritage to be better and more easily understood, is commendable. The achievements of these museums prove that we can hold our heads high with the best in the world, confident that we are professional, thorough, knowledgeable and ambitious for our cultural heritage institutions.”

Addressing the accredited museums today Chair of the Heritage Council, Martina Moloney, said:“Museums and cultural heritage collections play a profound role in our national conversation. Cultural heritage collections and the audiences they serve are a fundamental focus of MSPI and professional standards are a vehicle through which we can insure these values. The work done by our accredited museums is invaluable in upholding these standards. The Heritage Council will continue to do everything it can to create the conditions for cultural heritage collections, museums, galleries and heritage sites to evolve and thrive.

”Meanwhile, CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, added:“I would like to commend all the accredited museums in 2025 for the focus they demonstrate, day in and day out, on engaging communities with societal issues, both contemporary and historical, via their collections and organisations. We appreciate the work that these museums do and the profound capacity for impact that our museums and cultural heritage organisations represent. On behalf of the Heritage Council, I want to congratulate to all 11 organisations receiving their accreditation today.”Looking ahead, the Heritage Council is committed to ensuring that MSPI continues to meet the evolving needs of the museum sector. Over the next 12 months, the programme will undergo a series of improvements, including updating the standards to reflect contemporary best practices, modernising the programme’s operations to improve communication and support, and streamlining the application process to allow even more museums across Ireland to benefit from the programme.

Notes for editors

Please contact Pearse Ó Caoimh to arrange an interview.
T. 085-8590378 E. pocaoimh@heritagecouncil.ie

*The museums receiving accreditation today are:

Full accreditation

National Maritime Museum of Ireland (Dublin)
The Model, Home of The Niland Collection (Sligo)
Nano Nagle Place (Cork)

Maintenance of Accreditation

National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Thomas MacDonagh Museum (Tipperary)
The Museum of Free Derry (Derry)
Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum (Limerick)
IFI Irish Film Archive (Dubiln)
Kerry County Museum (Kerry)
Knock Museum (Mayo)

Interim Accreditation

Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)