Local historian calls for ‘top-rate’ county museum in Roscommon

A prominent Roscommon historian and archaeologist has called for the establishment of a “top-rate, permanently staffed” museum in Roscommon town.

Daniel Curley, who is currently undertaking PhD research in Archaeology and is the Manager of Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in the north Roscommon town of Tulsk, made his call for the museum in a submission as part of Roscommon County Council’s new Development Plan process.

Mr Curley called on the local authority to “explore the possibilities” of establishing a full-time museum for Roscommon “within the county town” as a means of curating some of the many objects of international heritage value from the county. He also said the museum would serve as a suitable hub from which to acknowledge and present the many important heritage sites which are preserved in county Roscommon. “This would be a considerable source of direct and indirect economic, employment and social value to the county, and to Roscommon town, more specifically” the submission stated.

The Taughmaconnell native, who is passionate about exploring the archaeology and heritage of his native county, said he has had “an intense interest in the past” from an early age. He counts himself lucky to be able to use his skills as both an archaeologist and historian in his local area through his role in Rathcoghan Visitor Centre, and loves nothing better than to bring visitors around the Centre and to show them the medieval aspects of the landscape around Tulsk, Ard Caoin and Rathcroghan.

As well as being a member of Taughmaconnell Historial and Heritage Group, Daniel Curley has presented and published papers on a wide range of topics relating to the history and folklore of his native area.

It is his interest in preserving artefacts of the past that led him to make a submission to the Roscommon County Development Plan, and he firmly believes a permanently staffed purpose built County Museum for Roscommon would be “a great asset” for the local community.

While stressing that he and the Rathcroghan Centre are fully behind the existing County Museum for Roscommon and its volunteers, which is based in Roscommon town, he feels that a new purpose built and modern facility is needed in an effort to preserve the many artefacts of the past which are now housed at various locations around the country.

To illustrate the point further, he explained tthat a water mill which was discovered in the townland of Kilbegley, in the parish of Moore, and is reputed to be one of the best preserved early medieval water mills in Europe dating back to 650-850 AD, is currently in storage in Dubin.

He maintained that if a new bespoke county museum was established in Roscommon town it would allow priceless artefacts like the water mill, to be returned home where they could be properly preserved and exhibited for the enjoyment of everyone.