Museum forced to close at peak of tourism season

I WOULD like to highlight the effects of the embargo on recruitment in tourism, especially in relation to the regional museum in Kinsale, Co Cork, where there seems to have been little thought given to the effects on tourism.

In Kinsale, a heritage town of international fame, our museum remains closed at the height of the tourist season because the town council claims the retired part-time caretaker cannot be replaced due to this embargo.

As a result, we now have the ridiculous situation where the room in which the inquest on the Lusitania was held in 1915, as well as a treasure trove of artefacts telling the history of the town, remain closed.

Every morning and afternoon, as part of the Kinsale heritage town walk, I stand in front of that building telling tourists the history of our town, while apologising for the closure of the museum.

I am lucky to have a unique selection of maps and photographs (even a Lusitania medallion) to illustrate the story of the town, but this is no substitute for those who want to visit the museum itself and see the collection that has been built up through the dedication of local residents.

At a time when tourism is under threat, Environment Minister John Gormley, and those responsible for local government expenditure, should be aware the blanket embargo that prohibits the employment of a person to open the museum should be reexamined as this closure is harming our tourist industry at a time when we are being urged to do everything possible to improve matters.

Dermot Ryan

Secretary

Kinsale History Society

Winter’s Hill

Kinsale

Co Cork