A Co Dublin museum based at a former school set up by Patrick Pearse is expecting its visitor numbers to increase over the Easter weekend, when the 90th anniversary of the Rising will be commemorated.
Pat Cooke, curator of the Pearse Museum at St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham, said it had been intended to close the museum for a €2 million year-long refurbishment earlier this year.
However, it had since been agreed that there was "no way" it could shut its doors before the anniversary had passed.
The museum, housed in an 18th-century building on some 50 acres of land, attracts up to 13,000 visitors a year, according to Mr Cooke.
Among the items on display are an original manuscript of Pearse's famous "O'Donovan Rossa speech", pieces of artwork by his brother, Willie, and other family artefacts. Entrance is free.
Mr Cooke said he hoped visitor numbers would increase following the conclusion of its "pretty major renovation job".
"Hopefully it will lead to a renewed interest in the museum . . . the main thing is to encourage people to come and see it, " he said. "Visitors get a rounded sense of the Pearse family."
Mr Cooke said he was happy that the museum was not being overlooked in the upcoming commemorative celebrations.
"I expect our visitor numbers to be up over the Easter weekend. The celebrations are largely being driven by the Government as a one-off event . . . The way I look at it is that the Pearse museum is there for those people who come and see it. There is a history and sense of the place for people coming to see it."
The museum is also hosting a one-day conference, in association with University College Dublin, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Pearse's death.
This will re-examine his life and the significance of his legacy, and is due to take place on April 29th next.