Exhibitions
This gallery explores the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Cavan from the foundation of the Ballyconnell First Ulsters in the 1880s through the 1920s, the glory days of the 30s, 40s and 50s, to more recent times.
Along with the Sheela-na-gigs in this room, there are fine examples of medieval brooches, potsherds, axe-heads, spear-heads, stone heads, food vessels, bog butter and a comb made from animal bone, mostly donated by the National Museum of Ireland.
The Great Famine or the Great Hunger is the name given to the famine in Ireland between 1845 and 1849. The Famine was partly due to "the (potato) Blight" that almost instantly destroyed the primary food source for many Irish. The blight explains crop failure; but the famine had other factors, including economic, political, social and religious.
The Farnham Gallery displays photographs, mementos, letters, war medals and papers relating to the Farnhams. The museum also holds portraits of various members of the Maxwell family, including many Lords Farnham, dating from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. A marble bust of Henry, seventh Lord Farnham, is also on display. We wish to thank Lady Diana Farnham for entrusting such a wonderful and diverse collection to the care of Cavan County Museum.
A collection of clothing ranging from delicate wedding apparel to Military dress uniforms.
The nun’s gallery displays the nuns at work in the school and a prayer. There are a number of photographs of the convent and its occupants from the nineteenth century onwards, as well as information on the history of the building and the order of Poor Clare nuns.
The Percy French Gallery includes a short video of music and songs of Percy French. Cavan County Museum has been very fortunate to receive from the Percy French Society in Bangor a large and varied number of Percy French related items for display purposes. Material on show includes six of Perch French’s original water colour paintings, as well as a large amount of photographs and letters of Percy’s. Cavan County Museum thanks the Percy French Society for their support and co-operation in assembling such a vivid tribute to Cavan’s favourite adopted son.
The folklife gallery contains a wealth of agricultural tools and machinery, as well as a mangle, plough, turf cutters threshers and quern stones. There is also an audio-visual display dealing with Ned Gavin, a famous Cavan cooper, along with a display of his tools and barrels. Finally, a recreation of an old-style thatched house and kitchen helps to bring this very popular display to life.
There is much more on display here than a boat, the Killycluggin stone. This gallery also houses a cist grave containing the partially cremated remains of a thirty year old man who died 4000 years ago. The Gallery also includes an Exhibition on Arthur Griffith and the origins of Sinn Féin.
1916 Quilt made by the members of Erne Quilters to commemorate Women of the Easter Rising
The star attractions in this gallery are the hoard of three bronze trumpets which date from 900-500 BC, and an amber necklace which dates from the same period.
Clogh Oughter Castle, Maguire's Chair, Drumlane Abbey, The Cursing Stones, Bawnboy Workhouse just to name a few...
Officially opened on Monday, 4th August by Heather Humphries TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltaght.
World War 1 exhibition including Cavan's trench experience
