Four of Ireland’s major museums face imminent closure unless finances improve

Four of Ireland’s major museums may be closed unless their finances improve, it has been reported.

The National Museum of Ireland

The board of the National Museum of Ireland has examined the possibility of closing all four of its sites from New Year’s Day, unless it receives an increase in financial support from the Government.

RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme reports that the board of the museum will recommend that admission fees be charged, or all four museums be closed.

The four museums in question are Kildare Street, Merrion Street, Collins Barracks in Dublin, and the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar.

Funding for the museum has fallen by 40pc since 2008, and it has had to rely on cash reserves since then.

To make savings, the museum has lowered the temperature in the museums to save on heating bills. It has also explored the idea of allowing alcoholic drinks companies to fund exhibits - although this measure did not go ahead.

Te museum has had to contemplate its “gravest of corrective measures with regard to cost", now that the cash reserves are almost gone.

fonte: @edisonmariotti #edisonmariotti http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/four-of-irelands-major-museums-face-imminent-closure-unless-finances-improve-30800967.html