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DR. MARTIN MANSERGH T.D. OFFICIALLY RE-OPENS THE PEARSE MUSEUM, RATHFARNHAM



Dr. Martin Mansergh. T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and the Arts officially re-opened the Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham, County Dublin on Thursday 27 November 2008. The Museum has been closed for over two years for major building renovations. This work involved the construction of a stunning new entrance and stairwell designed by OPW Senior Architect, Des Byrne.

Speaking about the re-opening Minister Mansergh said “The new building work has allowed for a complete re-imaging of the Museum. The recreation of key rooms in the house, including the school Museum, dormitory and art gallery, will allow visitors to see much of the Pearse Museum collection back in its original context. Visitors will also be able to see Pearse’s study where he wrote, administered the school, and did much of the planning for the 1916 Rising. Many of the rooms have a domestic, family atmosphere, allowing visitors an intimate glimpse at the private side of Pearse’s life.

The Minister continued “A future permanent exhibition on the life of Patrick Pearse is currently being planned for the newly refurbished basement area of the Museum. In addition, for the first time, a dedicated gallery in the Museum has been devoted to the sculptural work of William Pearse. William was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising, but his work as a sculptor is largely unknown. The Pearse Museum will now host the largest exhibition of his work ever mounted. Another exciting new development for the Museum is the creation of a new temporary exhibition space. The first of these, fittingly enough, is an exhibition entitled Meditations on the Art of William Pearse by the Dublin-based artist, Felicity Finlay.”

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For further information contact George Moir, OPW Press Officer (01) 6476128