The Chester Beatty Library in Dublin has been named Museum of the Year in a scheme jointly funded by the Gulbenkian Foundation and the Heritage Council.
The library, which moved into new premises in Dublin Castle last February, was selected as winner from a shortlist of four, the other entries being Ennis's Clare Museum, the County Museum in Dundalk and Ross Castle in Killarney, Co Kerry.
In a citation accompanying the award, the panel of nine judges, including the Irish Times Environment Editor, Frank McDonald, congratulated the Chester Beatty Library on its series of "modern, varied, well-lit and beautifully presented displays".
Speaking after a prize-giving ceremony in Dublin Castle yesterday, the library's director, Dr Michael Ryan, said the award was a tribute to all who had worked on the new library and its displays. "This is a vindication of the trustees' policies over the past 10 years," he said, "and personally, I'm very proud because the award represents the judgment of one's peers". In addition to the Museum of the Year Award, prizes were given by the adjudicators in a number of other categories. The winner of the Best Museum Education Project award was the Fermanagh County Museum where a room was transformed into a spaceship for six months. The Best Smaller Museum Award went to the Historic Science Centre in Birr, Co Offaly.