Cavan County Museum

05/06/2026

Cavan Museum welcomes Virginia Brooch!

The iconic Virginia Brooch is on display this month at Cavan County Museum following a short term loan arrangement with the National Museum of Ireland. We were delighted to be joined at the launch by members of Virginia & District Historical Society , the History Club from St. Clare's NS Ballyjamesduff as well an Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley, elected members of Ballyjamesduff Municipal District, Cavan County Council Chief Executive Eoin Doyle, Director of Services Lynda McGavigan and County Librarian Emma Clancy.

Welcoming the brooch to the Museum on Thursday morning, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley said, “The Virginia Brooch occupies a special place in the hearts of the people of Virginia and its hinterland, so much so that a large-scale cast iron sculpture of the brooch proudly sits on the approach to the town. Great credit goes to Curator Ann Gerety Smyth, Research Officer Catherine McGuinness, Johann Farrelly, Documentation Officer and the Museum staff for negotiating this month-long loan with the National Museum of Ireland. I encourage everyone to come and see this beautiful relic of Cavan’s history in person at Cavan County Museum this month”.

Curator of Cavan County Museum Ann Gerety Smyth said, “This is a real coup for Cavan County Museum to secure a month-long loan of this stunning artefact. The brooch was a hugely popular attraction when it visited for four days in 2012, and prior to that it had not been in Cavan for over 200 years, so this is a rare opportunity to see it in person. On behalf of Cavan County Museum, I’d like to thank the team in the National Museum of Ireland for their cooperation in bringing this very special piece back to Cavan”.

The Virginia Brooch will remain on display in Cavan County Museum throughout the month of June as part of the museum’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Other events include a Family Open Day on June 20th and a conference “Nugent 100 – Cavan and the Great War” on July 4th. For opening hours and more information on upcoming events, visit cavanmuseum.ie.

Photographs by Shelia Rooney Photography

03/06/2026

The staff of Cavan County Museum were shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Dermot Mulligan, Curator of Carlow County Museum.

A loved and respected colleague in the Irish museum community, he will be missed terribly.

Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues at Carlow County Museum.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
May he rest in peace.

As a mark of respect to our much loved and recently deceased colleague, Dermot Mulligan, the County Museum will remain closed at this time.

Carlow County Museum

31/05/2026

Join us as Sarah McKenna Dunne launches her powerful new book exploring the people of Cavan and surrounding counties who hold “the cure” — an ancient tradition still alive in modern Ireland.
For two years, Sarah travelled the region meeting healers, collecting stories, and asking:

🔸 Who are the people with cures?
🔸 How did they get them?
🔸 Why do they continue the practice?
🔸 Can these traditions be passed on?

Featuring artwork by Margaret McKenna and photography by Lorraine Teevan, this book offers a rare insight into a disappearing tradition.
📍 Cavan County Museum
📅 8 May 2026
⏰ 7:30pm
👥 Suitable for all ages — especially those who love storytelling, heritage, and local history.
Booking advised - contact Cavan County Museum
📞 049 854 4070
📧 [email protected]

This project is funded by CreativeIrl and Cavan County Council through Creative Cavan Open Call Grants.

Cavan County Council Cavan County Library Service Cavan Arts
Townhall Arts Centre Cavan Heritage This is Cavan Ramor Arts Centre

31/05/2026

A complex figure of Irish history—soldier, leader, and witness to a turbulent era - Major‑General Sir Oliver Nugent (1860–1926).

Oliver Nugent rose to become one of the most notable Irish commanders of the First World War.

Commissioned in 1882, he served across India, the North‑West Frontier and the Boer War—where he was wounded and taken prisoner. In 1915, he took command of the 36th (Ulster) Division, leading them through some of the fiercest fighting on the Western Front. On the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme, his men advanced further than most British units, earning a reputation for extraordinary bravery—though at terrible cost. In the first two days of fighting, he lost approximately 5000 men.

Despite the political tensions of the time, Nugent insisted on discipline and professionalism, shaping the Ulster Division into one of the most respected formations of the war.

After a long career, he retired in 1920 and returned home to his house in Farren Connell, Mountnugent, Co. Cavan. On May 31st 1926 is passed away at the age of 66, after becoming ill with pneumonia. He is buried with members of his family in the church yard in Mountnugent.

On July 4th 2026, Cavan County Museum will host a conference on Cavan and the Great War. MC’d by local historian Dr Brendan Scott, the speakers will include Nugent’s biographer Dr Nick Perry, Irish Times Journalist Ronan McGreevy and Dr Fionnuala Walsh, Associate Professor in Modern Irish History, UCD and winner of National University of Ireland Publication Prize in Irish History (2021) for ‘Irish Women and The Great War’. Lunch and tours of the museum’s World War 1 Trench Experience will also be included on the day’s programme.

Contac the museum on 049 8544070 or email [email protected] for more details or to book a place.

30/05/2026

Curator Ann Gerety Smyth took the opportunity to road test some of the Breffni Vintage Club members' cars as well!

30/05/2026

30/05/2026

More video from the Breffni Vintage Club visit to the museum last week!

30/05/2026

Many thanks to Breffni Vintage Club for their visit last week to the museum - more photos available on their page!

15/05/2026

We are ready to go for ! Remember bring your sketch pad, and you can get in for FREE!

Cavan County Council Cavan County Library Service Cavan Arts
Ramor Arts Centre Townhall Arts Centre Cavan Heritage This is Cavan National Gallery of Ireland

15/05/2026

LAST PLACES LEFT!

A handful of spaces are left for this workshop on Tuesday - email or call to book a space!