Rationale
As part of the agreement by which Collins Barracks was turned over by the Irish Defence Forces to the National Museum, a significant military component was identified as part of the future permanent exhibit galleries. The Military History gallery will combine appropriate artefacts from the National Museum's Arms and Armour, Costume, and Historical collections, with selected items from the Defence Forces extensive holdings of twentieth century equipment and memorabilia. The Defence Forces have guaranteed that they would locate and acquire required artefacts not currently in either the Museum's or the Force's possession, but essential to tell the military story.

Scope
While the most important events of Irish military history will be covered in the Introduction to Irish History Gallery, there are many interesting military aspects which should form the basis of this gallery. Not least of these is the story of the economic and social impact of the British Army in Ireland. It may be possible to use Collins Barracks as a specific example of the way in which military occupation influenced the lives of local man and women, if appropriate artefacts are available.

Other subjects which will clearly receive considerable attention in this gallery include the role of Irish soldiers in European armies during the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (the "Wild Geese") and the major role of individual Irishmen, and later of Irish regiments in the British Army from 1740 to 1918. In the twentieth century, the main focus will be on the origins of the Irish Defence Forces in the years leading up to the War of Independence, and their subsequent history to the present. The engagement of Irish forces over the last forty years in a large number of United Nations peacekeeping operations will be highlighted, using material from the Irish Defence Forces collections.

Working Theme
In the past, Irishmen have worn many uniforms, fighting for a variety of reasons in foreign armies in distant countries. Today, Irish men and women serve all over the world in Irish uniforms as an important part of United Nations peacekeeping forces

Relationship to other Galleries
The major military events of Irish history will be covered in the Introduction to Irish History, but this gallery looks at other aspects of military history in more detail than is possible in an introductory context. There are also several important collections which will form speciality galleries linked to this gallery: uniforms, military weapons and military vehicles (displayed outside).

Public Programming
The availability of large space enclosed by Clarke Square presents opportunities for demonstrating several aspects of military history. The barracks buildings are the perfect context for demonstrations of close-order drill, manhandling field guns and other military equipment and the like. The Military History Gallery could include opportunities for children to dress up in the uniforms of the young ensigns and drummer boys of the past.

[Extract from report by Sears & Russell, Consultants Ltd.]

>>Back to top