Jackie Clarke Collection — Attraction in County Mayo

We recently had the privilege of hosting the Irish Famine Outreach Workshop at our school, and it was a fantastic experience for both our students and staff. The workshop offered an immersive, engaging, and educational journey through one of the most pivotal moments in Irish history—the Great Famine. Celene Brennan, the Education Officer form the Jackie Clarke museum captivated the children's attention with her wealth of knowledge and her ability to present historical events in a way that was accessible and engaging for our students. Celene’s passion for history was evident throughout the session, and she made the past come alive with her interactive storytelling, multimedia presentation, and hands-on activities. The children were not just passive listeners; they were encouraged to ask questions, engage in discussions, and participate in various activities that deepened their understanding of the hardships faced by families during the Famine. The use of historical photographs, voice recordings, visual aids and video footage of the creation of the Irish Hunger Memorial in New York made the experience both educational and enjoyable. Celene went above and beyond to make the Irish Famine Workshop truly special by customising the content to resonate with the children's own locality. In addition to the core material, she took the time to research and include slides specifically relevant to our local area, drawing powerful connections between the famine's impact on our community and the national experience. By incorporating local stories, landmarks, and historical references, Celene helped the children build a stronger, more meaningful connection to the material. The children were fascinated to learn about the local effects of the famine, and it spurred thoughtful discussions and questions. Our teachers were particularly impressed by how well the workshop was tailored to meet the learning needs of the children. The resource booklets and additional teaching materials that were provided were also greatly appreciated. A further positive for the teachers was how well the workshop complemented the reading of the class novel, Under the Hawthorn Tree. We highly recommend this workshop to any school looking to provide their students with a memorable and impactful learning experience and the fact that Celene came to our school made it so convenient and eliminated the need for travel. Mairead Kelly (Acting Principal) Carramore NS,...

Love this museum. A must visit if your in ballina.. The Jackie Clarke Collection is located in Pearse Street, Ballina. The collection is hosted in the former Provincial Bank building, which was built in 1881 by the Victorian architect Thomas Manly Deane. It used to be a bank until 1977.

The collection opened in 2013, when Mrs. Anne Clarke, widow of Jackie Clarke (a Ballina businessman and collector of Irish material), gifted all his collection to the County, fulfilling her husband’s wishes.

It includes over 100,000 items spanning 400 years such as rare books, proclamations, newspapers, autographs, letters, posters, prints, political cartoons, photographs, maps and hunger strike material.

The Jackie Clarke Collection has a huge national significance in relation to the 1916 Easter Rising. It displays items associated with some of the most influential figures of the Rising: PH Pearse, Thomas Clarke, Eamonn Ceannt, Thomas MacDonagh, Sean MacDiarmada, Joseph Plunkett and James Connolly. There are also items associated with Wolfe Tone, Michael Collins, Dr. Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt and O’Donovan Rossa.

The collection also has the Le Roux papers. Le Roux, a Breton national, was the first biographer of PH Pearse and Tom Clarke. He collected letters and an unpublished manuscript on Seán MacDiarmada during the 1920s and 1930s.

The library also contains many volumes relating to the Rising in the Irish language. The repository has a dedicated research space and provision for edu-tourism activities. Here scholars and researchers in the history of Ireland’s struggle for independence and the Irish Diaspora will have access to many interesting documents.

The walled urban gardens are a place where visitors can relax and find a wide selection of plants, herbs and flowers from...

The Jackie Clarke Collection recently hosted St. Dymphna’s School for their magical Santa Workshop, delivering a day filled with festive cheer and thoughtful inclusivity. The staff went above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience tailored to the needs and enjoyment of every student.

The day began with engaging art activities that inspired creativity and fun, setting a joyful tone for the event. The highlight was undoubtedly the arrival of Santa himself (the real one!), whose warm and interactive presence brought excitement and happiness to all. Every student felt truly special, creating treasured memories that will last a lifetime.

The beautifully designed Christmas Gardens offered a perfect space for sensory walks, providing a calming and enjoyable experience for students to explore and connect with their surroundings.

Led by Celene Brennan, the team at the Jackie Clarke Collection displayed exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring the success of this remarkable day.

This well-organised and thoughtful event showcased the Jackie Clarke Collection’s dedication not only to preserving history but also to fostering community engagement and celebrating the joy of...