The Galway City Museum will reopen its doors to the public on Tuesday July 21 at 10am.
Admission remains free, but visitors will now require a ticket for their visit which can be booked online at www.galwaycitymuseum.ie The tickets will need to be presented either in printed format or on mobile phones at the main entrance to the museum.
The museum advises that visitor numbers will be strictly controlled, and those attending must adhere to correct social distancing and health and safety protocols.
For phase one of the re-opening plan, visitors will be granted access only to the ground floor where with two new exhibitions will be on show. They include the much anticipated European Capital of Culture Galway 2020 Monument exhibition and the captivating display on The Corrib: Myth, Legend & Folklore, both of which are guaranteed to enthral.
Monument
Monument is presented by Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and Galway City Museum as part of the cultural programme.
The primary focus is on the stone forts of Aran, and on Dún Aonghasa in particular, while also investigating some of Europe's most impressive stone monuments located on some of Europe's smallest islands. Monument is a multi-disciplinary exhibition which represents a collaborative process with various institutions that represent archaeology, architecture, craft and design, cultural landscapes, heritage, sustainability and the social history associated with the monuments and the islands.
Assisted by the National Museum, the exhibition will feature never seen before material from the 1990s archaeological excavations at Dún Aonghasa, and will also feature specially commissioned craft pieces by some of Ireland’s most respected makers.
Curated by Eithne Verling, director of the Galway City Museum, and Sybil Curley, the project has been inspired by the three themes of the ECOC Galway2020 programme - landscape, language and migration.
"Our vision for the exhibition blends digital, physical and tactile experiences to tell this story in a manner that we hope will entertain, inform and delight audiences of all ages," the co-curators say.
The Corrib: Myth, Legend and Folklore
A new exhibition, curated by Brendan McGowan of Galway City Museum, The Corrib: Myth, Legend and Folklore, features specially-commissioned artwork by Sadie Cramer, which explores some of the old myths and stories about the lake, river and bay and sets them in a broader context.
Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic, is connected to Galway Bay by a short and powerful river. This exhibition can also be enjoyed as a walking tour and visitors are encouraged to take the specially designed Myth, Legend and Folklore tour brochure with them as they leave the exhibition so they can visit each site associated with the stories presented.
Brendan McGowan, says the sound of the River Corrib as it rushes towards Galway Bay is, and always has been, the soundtrack to life in Galway.
"This beautifully-illustrated exhibition, and accompanying walking trail, explores some of the myth, legend and folklore that the river and bay have inspired over the centuries. After visiting, you will never look at them the same again," he says.
Musuem director Eithne Verling says the team aspires to retain a safe public space, but it needs help from those visiting.
"It will be challenging for all of us to combine social distancing with real experience, reflection and engagement, but we are up for the challenge if the visitors are."
To book a ticket visit www.galwaycitymuseum.ie For further information contact [email protected] or phone +353 (0 )91 532 460.
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