Inaugural Limerick Museum and Archives Scholarship is awarded

Mayor of City and County Liam Galvin welcomes William O’Neill to City Hall with Professor Don Barry (President UL) photo. John Meyler Photography

The awarding of the inaugural Limerick Museum and Archives Scholarship, a joint project between Limerick Museum & Archives and the University of Limerick’s (UL) Department of History, took place at the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum in Merchants Quay today (Thursday, 4 February 2016).

The first recipient of the Scholarship is William O’Neill, a first year PhD history student in UL and a native of Killarney, County Kerry. Over the next three years, Mr. O’Neill will contribute to delivering a public history programme within Limerick Museum & Archives.

Congratulating Mr. O’Neill, Cllr Liam Galvin, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick said, “The Scholarship provides a unique opportunity for a history student, in this case William, to contribute to delivering a public history programme within Limerick Museum and Archives.

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“Limerick Museum & Archives and the UL Department of History are two of the key historical and cultural institutions in Limerick. Over many years, they have worked closely together in a highly productive manner and this Scholarship is the latest example of this great partnership,” added the Mayor.

Proud parents Phillip and Jane O’Neill with William and Professor Anthony Mc Elliot (Head of History UL). Photo John Meyler Photography

Outlining the Scholarship programme, Archivist Jacqui Hayes of Limerick Museum & Archives said, “William will be involved in all areas of museum and archives work from collection management, oral history, exhibition research and production to access, education and outreach activities.”

“He is also working on the research and public access elements of two current projects, namely a book and an exhibition dealing with the history of Limerick in 1916 and the development of a ‘Revolutionary/Rebellion Songs Project’, a partnership between Limerick City and County Council and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL,” added Ms. Hayes.

Speaking at today’s ceremony, Professor Don Barry, President of UL said,”I warmly welcome this splendid initiative which further connects the University and Limerick City and County Council. The Limerick Museum and Archives are key cultural institutions that we are happy to partner with and this scholarship builds on existing relationships to our mutual benefit”.

The Limerick Museum and Archives Scholarship is open to first year PhD students in UL. The Scholarship is funded under the Archives budget while the programme is being administered by UL’s Department of History.

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