From guitars to jumpers, and tea sets to rocket launchers: the items that represent Changing Ireland over 150 years

"These are some of the disparate objects selected to embody 150 years of political, social and cultural change in Ireland. This collection comprising of objects that were preserved by family members, and range from a plaque awarded to a soldier from the first World War, to Mary Robinson's inauguration suit, which was designed by Louise Kennedy. The National Museum today launched the Changing Ireland Galleries, an exhibition cataloguing the past century and a half."

"Keeper of Art & Industry, National Museum of Ireland, Dónal Maguire, said that today was a special day for Collins' Barracks, and that it marked "the largest expansion of the galleries in over 20 years". Six years in the making, the new exhibition is one which is reflective of the evolution of the collective mindset held by society, particularly in relation to the role of women, and how these barriers were dismantled. Dr Éimear O'Connor, Director of Collections and Access, National Museum of Ireland, said: "Also in the exhibition are women and some of them are revolutionary in terms of being revolutionaries, which is really important - but others are revolutionaries in their own way.""

"Also included in the collection is a dressing screen by Susan Lily Yates, who along with her sister Elizabeth and Evelyn Gleeson, set up the Dun Emer Guild which aimed to train and employ young women in crafts, and in doing so, provided them with financial independence. Mary Robinson's inauguration suit and a dress worn by Panti Bliss during her 'Noble Call' speech in 2014 stand side by side in the gallery. Notably both garments are shades of purple, one of the defining colours of the suffragettes, who campaigned tirelessly for women's right to vote. The repeal of the eight amendment of the Irish constitution in May 2018 is represented by a jumper designed by Anna Cosgrove, and the progress of LGBTQ+ rights, is portrayed by 'An Foclóir Aiteach' - an English/Irish dictionary of"

The National Museum launched the Changing Ireland Galleries at Collins' Barracks, presenting objects embodying 150 years of political, social and cultural change. The collection includes items preserved by families, ranging from a First World War soldier's plaque to Mary Robinson's inauguration suit designed by Louise Kennedy. The expansion is the largest in over 20 years and took six years to assemble. The exhibition highlights women's evolving roles and independence, featuring craft initiatives like the Dun Emer Guild and garments linked to suffrage and contemporary LGBTQ+ milestones, including items tied to the 2018 repeal.

Read at Irish Independent