Single library and museum board is ‘cannibalism’

The chairman of the board of the National Museum has described as “cultural cannibalism” the decision by the Government to abolish the boards of the National Library and National Museum, two of the nation’s most cherished institutions.

John O’Mahony said the decision was a “catastrophic mistake” and would have far-reaching damaging effects.

His views were echoed yesterday by historian Diarmaid Ferriter, who described the replacement of the boards with an advisory council as a power-grabbing exercise in “cultural vandalism”.