LIMERICK City and County Council has been asked to explore the possibility of facilitating increased visitors during the summer months by extending the opening hours at Limerick Museum to include weekends.
Responding to Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin at this month’s Metropolitan District meeting, City and County Librarian, Damien Brady pointed out that the museum is currently open five days a week, Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm, including lunchtime opening.
“The need to extend opening hours to include weekend opening was identified by the Council and approval was sought from the Department to create a new Assistant Curator post,” Mr Brady explained.
“Sanction has been received from the Department and the post has been advertised and a shortlisting process has been carried out. It is envisaged that final interviews will be held at an early date.
“On the appointment of the Assistant Curator, the Museum will have the capacity to extend opening hours to include weekend opening.”
Speaking to the Limerick Post after the meeting, Cllr Leddin said: “The Limerick Museum was established in 1916 and is the oldest local authority museum in the country. It also has the largest collection of objects approximately 60,000 and of course is dedicated to the memory of Jim Kemmy, the former Limerick Labour Party TD and Mayor.
“I have campaigned for many years to have the opening hours extended to include weekends to facilitate both locals, and especially visitors and tourists, to see and understand the great history of our city.
“I am delighted that funding has now been secured to recruit an assistant curator which will enable the museum to open for longer time periods including weekends when people have more time,”he added.
