The National Gallery of Ireland was voted Museum of the Year at an awards ceremony in Kilkenny Castle yesterday.
Adjudicators described the National Gallery's new millennium wing as an ultra-modern extension, which offers enhanced services to visitors and allows the gallery to present major exhibitions of international standing.
The Best Museum Exhibition this year was mounted by Kerry County Museum in Tralee.
There were eight entries in this category. The Kerry entry, "Antarctica", featured the story of Lispole man Tom Crean and his association with Ernest Shackleton and other polar explorers.
The judging panel gave the Best Collections Care award to the National Museum at Collins Barracks, Dublin, in recognition for the quality of the work on the new conservation facility there.
Dungarvan Museum Society, Co Waterford, won the Best Visitors Publication award. The society was praised for its innovative approach and the excellent design of its web site.
The award for Best Access and Outreach Initiative went to the Educational Programme of the National Trust in Northern Ireland.
Two commendations were awarded to the Hunt Museum, Limerick, and the Ulster Museum, Belfast.
Mr Michael Starett, chief executive of the Heritage Council, said the awards, jointly sponsored with the Northern Ireland Museum Council, continued to demonstrate the diversity, progress and high-quality service which museums had to offer.
Mr Chris Bailey, director of the Northern Ireland Museum Council, said the number of entries had increased by 40 per cent on last year and the standard was improving. The awards are in their 11th year.