Poor storage puts museum's priceless treasures at risk

15-03-2008

by Michael Brennan Political Correspondent

The National Museum has "no comprehensive record" of its priceless collection of artefacts, according to a damning report.

It is also storing many of the artefacts in "poor or very poor" conditions which means they are at risk of damage or destruction from increases in temperature or air humidity.

The State's spending watchdog, Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell, found there were major differences in storage quality in the museum's eight storage locations.

"Problems encountered were overcrowding, dirt, dampness and leaks. There was also a general lack of environmental controls throughout," the report said.

The National Museum, which has three museums in Dublin and one in Mayo, has a 3.8 million collection of items, including priceless artefacts such as the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and ancient Irish bog bodies...

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