The Jackie Clarke Collection
About the Collection
Mayo County Council's Jackie Clarke Collection contains over 100,000 items spanning 400 years of Irish history. The collection includes many unique documents that scholars had believed to be lost, including sole surviving copies of publications, rare handbills and proclamations, unpublished manuscripts and political writings. The collection was put together during the lifetime of one man, Jackie Clarke (1928-2000). The earliest documents date from the early 1600s, including a 1617 conveyance of land in Cork between the family of William Penn who went on to found the State of Pennsylvania. The collection continues up until 2000, the year of Jackie Clarke's death.
This treasure trove of items can be compared with other notable collections around the world, but in Irish terms, in the era it was collected, Jackie Clarke Collection stands alone as the single most important private collector; an Irishman collecting Irish history for his own people. Due to the generosity of Mrs Ann Clarke who gifted in perpetuity, her husband’s collection to Mayo County Council, the Irish nation and the world will have access to this unique and priceless collection.
The Jackie Clarke Collection under the stewardship of Mayo County Council, will become an education and cultural centre of international significance. Mayo County Council has embraced the opportunity of showcasing this collection to the highest international standards. Mayo County Council has purchased a superb location to house the Jackie Clarke Collection; the former Provincial Bank which was designed by Thomas Manly Deane, architect of some of Ireland’s most impressive buildings including the National Library of Ireland. The Jackie Clarke Collection will be a world-class facility for those seeking ‘an authentic experience’ in Ireland.
Access to the Jackie Clarke Collection is by appointment only. Archival cataloguing of this vast collection is ongoing. Phase 1 restoration of the former Provincial Bank will be completed by May 2011. Phase 2 refurbishment for the new home of the Jackie Clarke Collection is expected to finish in 2012.
This treasure trove of items can be compared with other notable collections around the world, but in Irish terms, in the era it was collected, Jackie Clarke Collection stands alone as the single most important private collector; an Irishman collecting Irish history for his own people. Due to the generosity of Mrs Ann Clarke who gifted in perpetuity, her husband’s collection to Mayo County Council, the Irish nation and the world will have access to this unique and priceless collection.
The Jackie Clarke Collection under the stewardship of Mayo County Council, will become an education and cultural centre of international significance. Mayo County Council has embraced the opportunity of showcasing this collection to the highest international standards. Mayo County Council has purchased a superb location to house the Jackie Clarke Collection; the former Provincial Bank which was designed by Thomas Manly Deane, architect of some of Ireland’s most impressive buildings including the National Library of Ireland. The Jackie Clarke Collection will be a world-class facility for those seeking ‘an authentic experience’ in Ireland.
Access to the Jackie Clarke Collection is by appointment only. Archival cataloguing of this vast collection is ongoing. Phase 1 restoration of the former Provincial Bank will be completed by May 2011. Phase 2 refurbishment for the new home of the Jackie Clarke Collection is expected to finish in 2012.
Contact
Curator/Manager
Sinéad McCoole
The Jackie Clarke Collection
Pearse Street,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.
Phone: +353 (0)96 70833
Email: smccoole@mayococo.ie