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Public urged to check attics and drawers for ‘hidden treasures'

October 4th, 2017 5:45 PM

By Southern Star Team

Have you an item that is an Irish icon, like a Bosco mug?

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Cork people are being called on to donate their treasured objects to a history project to help tell the story of Irish life over the past 100 years.

CORK people are being called on to donate their treasured objects to a history project to help tell the story of Irish life over the past 100 years.

 RTÉ and the National Museum of Ireland are currently working together to create National Treasures, a unique archive documenting how Ireland has developed, using ordinary objects treasured by families across the 32 counties.

 The aim is to gather objects from every county, passed down through generations or relatively recently acquired, which reveal an aspect of the nation’s history, culture and experience.

 Currently, the project is specifically looking for objects from Cork that tell the story of the rebel county since 1917. Whether it’s a clock-in card from the Ford Factory, a jersey that once belonged to Roy Keane, an invite to the Queen’s visit to The English Market or a ticket to the first Cork Jazz Festival, they want to hear about it. 

In October, four public roadshows will take place across the country where curators will inspect the objects in person and assess whether they merit becoming ‘national treasures’. As well as submitting their object online, people from Cork are encouraged to attend the Munster roadshow which will take place in the Lewis Glucksman Gallery, UCC on October 29th.

 A four-part television series based around the roadshows, presented by John Creedon, will follow next year.

John said: ‘The project has gotten off to a great start and we have already received hundreds of objects. 

‘Regionally, however, some areas are still underrepresented and we specifically need the people of Cork to come forward and submit their own fantastic objects. Like most Irish people, I have a profound sense of place and a genuine curiosity about my own people. 

‘At the moment I feel like a child in a sweet shop, as I just know that the bottom drawers, attics and garden sheds of Ireland are about to open and reveal so much more to delight those of us who love Ireland and her story,’ he said.

 See  nationaltreasures.ie to submit an item and find out more about the project.

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