The Jackie Clarke Collection celebrates its 10th anniversary today 15th June 2023, after opening its doors to the public in 2013. Jackie Clarke started scrapbooking historical events as a hobby, and this grew into in to the single most important private collection of Irish history material in public hands.
The Collection comprising over 100,000 items spanning 400 years contains an eclectic mixture of artefacts, proclamations, posters, political cartoons, rare books, pamphlets, handbills associated with Theobald Wolfe Tone, letters from Michael Collins, Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt and O’Donovan Rossa. It also contains works by Sir John Lavery, maps, hunger strike material and personal items from Leaders of the 1916 Rising.
It’s not just the collection that draws visitors in, during the past decade their walled heritage garden has hosted hundreds of Community Events and have been awarded 7 International Green Flags
Nationally and Internationally Renowned
The wonderful late Mrs Anne Clarke opened the doors to the collection in 2013, which is located in in the stunning old Hibernian Bank in the heart of Ballina. In the intervening years the museum has welcomed over 250,000 visitors from all over the world and the 32 counties of the island of Ireland.
With features on local, national and international radio and television, including Sky TV’s “Great Places to visit in Ireland” programme. They have had articles in newspapers and magazines including, The New York Times, The Irish Times, Irish Roots Magazine, Irelands Own, Cara (Aer Lingus inflight magazine), our very own Midwest Radio, Western People, Connaught Telegraph and the Mayo News to name but a few.
Education & Research
Since opening its doors, The Jackie Clarke Collection has welcomed hundreds of children from national and secondary schools to take part in their hugely successful education programme. They have also welcomed foreign exchange students and hosted countless societies and community groups wishing to tour the collection and marvel at Jackie’s truly amazing array of Irish historical artefacts. The collection is a treasure trove of information and has assisted authors, publishers, broadcasters and researchers over the years with historical information.
Mayo North Tourism
As one of the Jewels in Ballina’s crown, The Jackie Clarke Collection plays a vital role not only historically but is a great tourist attraction to have in the town, drawing visitors from across the length and breadth of Ireland and beyond.
Mairéad Melody Carr, Mayo North’s Manager said – “we are delighted to have the Jackie Clarke Collection in Ballina as a showcase to both domestic and international visitors to North Mayo. As members of Mayo North Tourism, it is a pleasure to work with Anne Marie and the team at the Jackie Clarke Collection and we wish them continued success in the months and years ahead”
