The Jackie Clarke Collection, located on Pearse Street, Ballina, County Mayo (F26 A368), is a remarkable museum housed in a former Provincial Bank building, designed by Victorian architect Thomas Manly Deane in 1881. It showcases the most significant private collection of Irish historical material in public hands, amassed by Ballina businessman and avid collector Jackie Clarke (1927–2000). Donated by his widow, Anne Clarke, to Mayo County Council in 2005, the collection spans over 400 years and comprises more than 100,000 items, offering an unparalleled journey through Ireland’s history, particularly its struggle for independence.
Exhibition Highlights:
- Main Exhibit Space: The collection includes rare artifacts, such as an ORIGINAL 1916 Proclamation, a flower cockade worn by Wolfe Tone in 1798, letters from Michael Collins, Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt, and O’Donovan Rossa, and a 1910 poster advertising a James Connolly talk in New York. Visitors can explore rare books, proclamations, posters, political cartoons, pamphlets, handbills, maps, hunger strike material, and personal items from 1916 Easter Rising leaders like P.H. Pearse, Thomas Clarke, and James Connolly.
- Interactive Displays: Touch-screen technology allows visitors to delve deeper into hundreds of digitized items, augmenting engagement with historical documents and photographs. The Newspaper Room lets visitors browse newspapers from four centuries and send e-cards, while the Memory Room projects evocative images of Ireland’s past, with a Memory Pod for recording personal reflections inspired by the collection.
- Focus on Irish History: The museum emphasizes key periods, including the Cromwellian Conquest, the 1798 Rebellion, the Land League, the Easter Rising, the War of Independence, the Civil War, and the 1980s hunger strikes. The first floor pays tribute to Irish martyrs who fought for independence, providing a poignant narrative of sacrifice and resilience.
- Repository Access: Scholars and researchers can access thousands of additional items in the Repository by appointment, offering a treasure trove for in-depth study of Ireland’s history and diaspora.
- Guided Tours: Specialist tours, bookable in advance via clarkecollection@mayococo.ie or +353 96 73508, are led by passionate staff like Education Programme Manager Celine and Educational Facilitator Sinéad Brennan. These tours, praised for their depth and warmth, cover the collection’s highlights and historical context, often tailored to visitors’ interests (e.g., school groups or researchers).
- Building Ambiance: Housed in a beautifully renovated former bank, the museum features elegant decor, high ceilings, and a clean, bright atmosphere. The old bank vault dramatically displays the 1916 Proclamation, adding a unique touch. The compact layout ensures an immersive experience, with 1–2 hours recommended to explore fully.
- Heritage Garden: A small, neat walled garden outside offers a peaceful spot for picnics or relaxation, with benches for sunny days in the heart of Ballina.
- Educational Programmes: The centre offers workshops and tours for primary and secondary students, covering topics like the Great Famine, the War of Independence, and historical research skills. Outreach programmes, such as workshops at schools like Scoil Cholmáin, Tuairíní, include workbooks and visuals tailored to local history.
Additional Amenities:
- The museum is wheelchair-friendly with a lift to all floors, seats with armrests, a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and visual aids like reading spectacles and lighted magnifying glasses. Audio aids include adjustable TV and AV remotes for the hard of hearing.
- Free Admission: Entry is free, making it accessible to all, with donations welcomed to support maintenance. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.
- Community Engagement: The Community and Volunteer Programme engages with local festivals (e.g., Ballina Salmon Festival, National Heritage Week, Culture Night) and events like International Women’s Day, fostering a vibrant community connection. Volunteers with expertise in history, education, and music enhance the experience.
- Gift Shop and Events: A small shop sells souvenirs, and the centre hosts temporary exhibitions, talks, and events throughout the year, often tied to local or national commemorations.
Practical Information:
- Address: Pearse Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 A368.
- Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; closed Sunday, Monday, and winter holidays. Confirm 2025 hours via www.clarkecollection.ie or +353 96 73508.
- Getting There: Located in Ballina town centre, a 10-minute walk from Ballina train/bus station (Irish Rail/Bus Éireann from Dublin or Sligo). Free parking nearby. The centre is 30 minutes from Ireland West Airport Knock.
- Nearby Attractions: Combine with the River Moy for fishing, Belleek Castle, the Michael Davitt Museum, or the National Museum of Ireland–Country Life (Turlough).
- The Jackie Clarke Collection is a “hidden gem” and a recommended visit for history enthusiasts, offering an intimate, authentic dive into Ireland’s past with exceptional staff hospitality and interactive elements.
What’s New:
- The Jackie Clarke Collection continues to evolve, with a significant development announced that enhances its accessibility and preservation efforts:
- Heritage Stewardship Fund 2025 – Collections Management System (CMS): The collection secured funding through the Heritage Council’s Heritage Stewardship Fund 2025 to implement a professional CMS, announced on 25 March 2025. This system will digitise and catalogue the vast 100,000-item collection, improving preservation and making it more accessible to researchers, educators, and the public. The CMS will enhance online engagement, allowing virtual access to rare documents and artifacts, marking a major step in sharing the collection globally.
- New Display Cabinets – Revolutionary Doctors: Two new display cabinets focusing on “Revolutionary Doctors” were unveiled recently, highlighting medical figures tied to Ireland’s independence struggle. These exhibits, which provoke significant local interest, will remain a highlight, offering fresh perspectives on lesser-known contributors to Irish history.
- Expanded Community and Educational Programmes: The Education Programme will expand its workshops, such as the Great Famine and War of Independence sessions.
- Continued Collaboration with Local Events: The collection ties into Ballina’s 2025 cultural calendar, including the Ballina Salmon Festival (July) or Mayo Day (early May), hosting historical displays like the Irish Defence Forces’ Ford Mk VI Armoured Car, a past Heritage Day feature.
Recommendations
- Book a specialist tour in advance for a personaliised experience, especially for what Tourism Ireland marketing department calls the “culturally curious” or researchers accessing the Repository.
- Allow 1–2 hours to explore the exhibits and garden, and use the interactive touch screens for a deeper dive.
- Check www.clarkecollection.ie or the museum’s Facebook page (6,237 likes, active updates) event schedules, particularly for Mayo Day or Heritage Week.
- Combine with a walk along the River Moy or visits to nearby Belleek Castle or Foxford Woollen Mills for a full day in Mayo.
The Jackie Clarke Collection’s 2025 enhancements, particularly the CMS and new exhibits, make it an even more compelling destination for exploring Ireland’s history. For the latest updates, contact +353 96 73508
