The Jackie Clarke Collection is a museum in Ballina with an incredible collection of historical objects and artifacts dating back to the struggle for Irish independence. It all started with one man: Jackie Clarke (1928 – 2000), a passionate Irishman who set out throughout his life to collect thousands of historical documents dedicated to the Irish struggle. The result is an ultra-comprehensive museum that will keep history buffs glued to their seats for hours!
It was in the heart of Ballina, Mayo County, that Jackie Clarke, a staunch Republican and butcher by trade, decided to start a vast collection. Over the years, he has amassed thousands of documents: testimonials, posters, historical photos…
His collection is so vast and impressive that it covers almost 400 years of Irish history! The oldest of its documents dates back to 1617!
By the time of her death, Jackie Clarke’s collection was a matter of public record. His wife then decided to bequeath her estate to the town of Ballina. Aware of the treasure it had been offered, the locality created a museum dedicated to the collection, and set it up in the premises of a former bank!
Since then, The Jackie Clarke Collection has become one of Ballina’s must-see attractions. Here you can admire no fewer than 100,000 historical items, ranging from rare documents and manuscripts to maps, personal letters from political leaders, newspapers, drawings and important political objects.
Among the most notable items are :
The museum will give you a better understanding of the conflict that has pitted the Irish against the English for centuries.
Some periods are more detailed than others, including the Cromwellian Conquest, the Easter Rising of 1916, the Irish War of Independence and the Civil War…
The 1st floor is a vibrant tribute to the Irish martyrs who fell in the fight for Irish independence. The emotion is palpable: we quickly fall into affect and empathy for what happened to the Irish people.
It’s worth noting that the museum has a rather atypical setting: having taken up residence in a historic former bank in the city, it has a very special atmosphere, with rooms protected by imposing doors that are difficult to push open.
It adds to the overall experience.
A very good museum overall. It’s free, and offers a fascinating insight into one of Ireland’s most troubled historical periods.
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Tour duration :
Rates : free of charge
Opening hours :
Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
