National Museum of Ireland - Collections Resource Centre

There will be an IMA visit to the National Museum of Ireland Collections Resource Centre, Swords on Saturday 24 September, 2011 at 11.15 am (meet at reception) ending at 13:15. This is a free event and members are encouraged to bring a guest and prospective members are also welcome. Click here to book through IMA Administrator Gina O'Kelly or phone her at +353-1-4120939

The National Museum is currently in the process of consolidating the majority of its collections in an impressive new facility in Swords, North County Dublin. This 18,000 square metre building (200,000 square feet - the size of two football fields) is being filled with the first collections that will grow to include several million objects over the next two years. The facility has high levels of environmental control and meets high standards of security and fire prevention. It includes collections storage areas and the necessary facilities for offices, archives, library, canteen, study rooms for visitors, and work areas for photography, illustration and conservation. The collections receiving measures include quarantine and freezing.

The NMI-CRC is in an industrial unit at Balheary Road, Swords, former home of electronics assembly plant operated by Motorola, then by Celsetica until 2003. There is ample car parking on site and this is the best way to get there. Click here for a location map.

By Bus: Routes 41C and 43 from Lower Abbey Street stop beside the complex at New Road, St. Colmcille GAA, Stop 4917 just before Applewood Village. Walk back along the bus route to the first junction and head left (North) along Balheary Road to access the complex. Check routes with your driver as the routes on Dublin Bus website have not been checked in person and previously many buses operate to Swords village as the nearest point, often followed by a 15 minute walk.

By Car: From Dublin - take the M1 past the Airport to the second major motorway exit Junction 4 and follow the R132 to the Estuary Road Roundabout, exiting right (West) onto Balheary Road. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights beside the fire station (on your left), following the route signposted to Ashbourne. Stay straight on the Balheary Road through a second set of traffic lights and the MNI-CRC is on your left. At the end of the building the road narrows to an old country road, the entrance to the NMI-CRC is on your left.