Clare Museum, supported by Creative Ireland, will add two handling collections to the museum’s resources.
Handling collections are boxes that contain 12-15 original and/or replica museum objects, along with a brief description of each object with instructions for use and worksheets related to the objects. The finished handling collections will be used as part of the Clare County Council-managed Clare Museum’s Education & Outreach programme to bring part of the museum into the community.
Handling collections allow people to engage directly with objects in a way that traditional museum displays often cannot. By touching, examining and discussing familiar items from the past, participants can connect with personal memories, local history and lived experiences. They can also support reminiscence activities with older adults, particularly those living with dementia, where familiar objects can help stimulate memories, encourage conversation and promote social engagement.
These collections will also be an important educational resource for schools, helping young people explore how everyday life has changed over time.
Teresa Carmody O’Shea, Education and Outreach Officer, Clare Museum, said, “As museums increasingly seek to reach people beyond their physical walls, the handling collections will provide an opportunity to bring Clare Museum into schools, community groups, day centres and residential care settings across the county.
This outreach work helps ensure that local heritage is accessible to everyone, including those who may not be able to visit the museum in person. By getting the museum out into the community, Clare Museum wants to show the positive role that museums can play in society by supporting learning, wellbeing, inclusion and meaningful connections between generations.”
The chosen theme for one of the handling collections is ‘Everyday life and Changing Technologies in Clare through Time’ and Clare Museum needs the public’s help to source the objects for this collection. People may have a mini museum in their homes made up of items that they never threw away.
If individuals have any items that were used in the 20th Century and/or the early 21st Century, Clare Museum would be delighted to give them a new home. Any items that may have been in use during these times and are no longer commonly used today would be ideal, such as a transistor radio, a Discman, Eircom call cards, old stamps, an old toy or old currency.
If you are willing to donate any item or items to Clare Museum for use in this handling collection, please email: claremuseum@clarecoco.ie, using the subject line ‘Handling Collection’. Please give as much detail as possible about the item that you are offering, especially the personal story behind it, as this is the most important element of any object. Please also send an image of the item, if possible. We would also ask that the items originate from County Clare or belong to a Clare-born person and that they are in good condition.
We look forward to seeing what the people of County Clare have kept over the years.