Dedicated women’s museum could be developed in Ireland
16 December 2025
Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland and a member of the Advisory Committee; Patrick O’Donovan T.D., Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport; Dr Sandra Collins, UCD’s University Librarian
A dedicated women’s museum may be developed in Ireland as recommended by an advisory committee chaired by (opens in a new window)Dr Sandra Collins, UCD’s University Librarian.
In 2024, the government established the Advisory Committee on Women’s Stories, which focuses on the representation of women in the context of national cultural institutions and collections.
Dr Collins was appointed to chair the committee, which considered the dedicated presentation of women’s stories through a range of options that may include a women’s museum.
The committee included directors of cultural institutions, artists, poets, journalists, researchers and scholars, including (opens in a new window)Dr Mary McAuliffe, Director of Gender Studies at the UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice.
It said the development of a permanent, dedicated physical museum would “give visibility, legitimacy and recognition to women’s representation, experiences and voices, in all their diversity”.
The committee also recommended the development of travelling and online exhibitions to enhance the representation of women and women’s stories, focusing on different audiences and themes.
“It was a pleasure to work with such a great committee who combined expertise, collegiality, creativity and dedication – and we had fantastic support from the Department of Culture throughout the process,” said Dr Collins, who is the former Director of the National Library of Ireland.
“We hope our recommendations will assist the government in implementing positive changes that will enhance women’s visibility, participation, and influence, across all aspects of the cultural sector and cultural life.”
Similar initiatives that have seen success in other countries include the Glasgow Women’s Library in Scotland and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi.
The creation of such a museum is among 31 recommendations made by the committee, which also include dedicated funding to allow women to be better represented in national collections, and enhanced visibility of women’s stories within school curricula.
“I know that women’s voices, experiences, and influence have not always been fairly represented across the cultural sector and that this has caused great hurt to many,” said Patrick O’Donovan T.D., Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, who presented the report to the government.
“I am determined to progress these recommendations, including the one establishing a permanent women’s museum. Now, more than ever, it is vitally important that we all do our level best to advance equality and create a more inclusive and socially just society.”
The National Women’s Council (NWC) also welcomed the report, having participated in the process as a member of the advisory committee.
“The creation of a women’s museum would be a significant recognition of women’s contribution to Irish history,” said Doireann Crosson, Head of Policy at the NWC.
“It would send a powerful message about the role women have played in shaping Irish history, society and culture.”
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
