MPSI Accreditation

The National Maritime Museum has been recently recognised as one of the leading museums in the country by the Heritage Council of Ireland with the awarding of special accreditation.

The Museum was one of only 11 institutions to be recently acknowledged under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MPSI).

MPSI 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.

The Maritime Museum was singled out for its hard work and dedication highlighting the importance of protecting and sharing Ireland’s rich heritage.

Each museum underwent a detailed assessment to show how they meet the required standards and how they serve their communities, visitors, and collections.
According to the Heritage Council citation, the National Maritime Museum of Ireland was 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.”

The Museum grew out of the Maritime Institute of Ireland which was established to promote the importance of the sea, shipping, ports, fishing and maritime heritage. The first Maritime Museum in Ireland was opened in 1959 in the former British Sailors Society Reading Rooms at Dun Laoghaire.

Then in 1974 the Mariners Church, one of only two such churches on the island, was leased from the Church of Ireland and the Museum officially opened in 1978. The building was purchased outright in 2008, underwent significant refurbishment, and reopened in 2012.

It’s 1,500 items on display have gathered over the past 70 years. The artefacts relate to maritime history and range from anchors to pins and buttons and includes paintings, drawings, charts and prints, as well as artefacts such as boats, boat equipment, instruments, models, uniforms, marine radios, medals and engines.

The Museum’s Library comprises around 4,000 books organised into categories of Naval History, Irish Maritime History, Exploration and Voyages, Shipping Companies, Fisheries and Ports of the World. There is also a collection of over 400 Volumes of Lloyds Register going back to the early 19th century.

Commenting on the accreditation, Captain Roger Kirker, Chairman of the Museum Committee, said: "As Chairman of the Museum Committee, I was very pleased to accept the MSPI Full Accreditation award for the museum, following the incredible amount of work of the volunteers and CE staff who work in the museum."

Cllr Jim Gildea, An Cathaoirleach, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, commented: “I would like to congratulate the National Maritime Museum of Ireland on achieving Full Accreditation under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional dedication of its volunteers and staff, and it reflects the museum’s vital role in preserving and celebrating our maritime heritage here in Dún Laoghaire.”

Speaking at the official announcement, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’ Sullivan TD, said: “It is an honour for me 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.”

Praising the accredited museums, Chair of the Heritage Council, Martina Moloney, added: “Museums and cultural heritage collections play a profound role in our national conversation. 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.”