I believe preserving the past for the future is a very important task, and today I’m delighted to introduce a rural heritage museum where Ireland’s past is treasured and shared.
Located just outside Bruff, County Limerick, Old Irish Ways is a folk heritage museum, where memorabilia from our past is lovingly restored and preserved.
Denis O’Connor, the founder of this wonderful museum started off with only a few precious pieces of vintage Irish treasures, but over the years he has gathered many more.
Today his collection of priceless keepsakes from Ireland’s past ranges into the thousands .
Denis’ goal is to recapture what life was like over 100 years ago, to give people a sense of how our forefathers lived. With items dating back as far as the 18th century, this exhibit truly spans the generations.
Here’s how Denis describes his museum on his website, Old Irish Ways ….
“Old Irish Ways is a collection of various artifacts and collectibles which were used as part of everyday life down through the years in an Ireland long past. From the kitchen to the farmyard, the collection built up by Denis over a number of years, represents an Ireland of bygone days.”
Denis’ exhibits are for all of today’s generations to enjoy. Younger people see a collection of items from a bygone era, enlightening them about how diligently our forebears worked to survive.
But many of us will step through the doors of this amazing museum only to rekindle memories of days gone by.
Denis reports many visitors exclaim “I remember that” over and over again during a visit.
The Irish Cottage Kitchen:
The Irish cottage kitchen with a traditional open fire, for me, is an iconic symbol of my homeland. “Bean an tí” (pronounced ban-on-tee) or the woman of the house cared for the fire both day and night, those eternal flames vital for her labors and her rest.
The fire was not simply a means of heating the home, but the central hub of the household. Used for many tasks, the bean an tí baked breads, boiled bacon and root vegetables for her family, and simmered corn for animals. Sick animals were nursed in front of the fire.
My own granny used her hearth as a neonatal intensive care unit. When my uncle was born prematurely back in the 1930’s she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and hung him in a horse harness beside the fire to keep him warm. And he survived thanks to her ingenuity.
In the kitchen display at Old Irish Ways, Denis has recreated an old Irish family kitchen, including the dresser, an attractive yet functional piece of furniture. Decorative plates and china, cups, plates, coffeepots and jugs adorn the dresser.
At Old Irish Ways, papal pictures decorate the walls, together with the traditional Sacred Heart picture.
The Old Pub
Old Irish pubs were at the heart of Irish village life, many also incorporating a local shop.
Denis has gathered many commonly seen items from old pubs around the country and recreated his very own Irish pub where he now serves visitors a lovely cup of tea.
Here you will find vintage earthenware jars and beer bottles, an array of trays and bottle tops, water jugs and the famous Guinness timber barrel.
You can sit back on an old tractor seat high stool, sipping your tea and enjoying a chat, in this highly detailed Old Irish Bar.
Old Irish School:
School life in 20th century Ireland is recreated in the classroom exhibit. If you went to school in Ireland anytime upto the 1970’s, then the classroom at Old Irish Ways will bring back many memories.
Wooden desks stand beside the black board or chalk board as we say in America. The map of Ireland beckons on the wall and the desks are laid with old school books and workbooks.
The time spent in recreating this learning space from days gone by is clearly evident.
The Blacksmith’s Forge:
In days gone by the forge was a meeting place, where locals chatted and shared stories.
Politics of the day and the welfare of the local community often dominated the talk at an Irish Forge or “Smithy.” Plots and plans for rebellion were often forged at the forge.
A raised brick hearth or fireplace dominated the forge. Here, bars of iron were heated until yellow-hot. There was always a container of water to cool the iron. Heat permeated the air. The hammer hit the anvil and horses hooves were shod.
Typically the inside of the forge was very dark to allow the blacksmith see the variety of colors of the heated iron which indicated the temperature of the heated metal.
Denis shares all these stories and more in The Forge Exhibit.
Other Displays:
The Irish Creamery is another highlight, with various implements used in the production and processing of milk and butter on display. You all know how much I love Irish churns.
Other displays in Old Irish Ways include a carpenter’s workshop, a typical old Irish hardware shop, a display of old farming implements, and turf cutting tools.
For the motoring enthusiast there is one of the largest displays of motor oil cans, advertising signs and associated memorabilia.
Visiting The Old Irish Ways Museum:
This award-winning museum represents a true and unique reflection of a forgotten Ireland.
So why not stop by if you find yourself in County Limerick and want to get off the well worn tourist track and visit a friendly welcoming museum full of vintage Irish treasures.
The museum is located about 16 miles or 25 kilometers outside Limerick city, and only 3 miles or 5 kilometers from the town of Bruff, the maternal ancestral home of President John F, Kennedy.
And remember, you can visit Lough Gur if the sun is shining.
Open 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm, Denis recommends you give him a call before you visit, so that you can confirm a tour.
Here’s the contact information for Old Irish Ways.
Address: Caherguillamore, Bruff, Limerick
Phone: 0861541078
Email: [email protected]
Thank You:
A big thank you to Denis and his family for all their wonderful work in preserving this important piece of Irish rural history. They are to be commended for their dedication, and commitment to preserving Ireland’s past.
This is a private museum and a labor of love for Denis and his family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for kindling wonderful childhood memories. I really appreciate you giving me permission to share your lovely museum photos with my readers.
Next time I visit my family home in Kildorrery, County Cork, I’ll be sure to stop by for a chat and a cuppa tae in your Irish pub.
Blessings to you and yours from Kentucky.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
If you enjoyed this post here are some other stories and tributes you might enjoy.
Eulogy For An Irish American Mother
Between The Jigs And The Reels
Thank you for telling us about this place. What an undertaking putting this museum together. It’s wonderful! I pinned it on Pinterest to try to go there if I ever get to Ireland again.
Hi Sheila – I was delighted when Denis’ friend contacted me to let me know about this wonderful museum. I love to take tourists off the beaten track to find Ireland’s hidden treasures. Thanks for adding it to your Pinterest boards, to help you plan your next trip to Ireland. Fingers crossed you’ll make it someday soon.
All the best,
Mairéad
Thank you for this information. I’m so glad that someone has done this. It looks fabulous.
Hi Kay – Denis seems to have done an amazing job collecting all of these memorabilia and treasures from the past. What a priceless collection, helping connect us to our past. Thanks so much for stopping by to check out this blog post.
Best wishes, and enjoy your weekend.
Mairéad
Hi, I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog for about 6 months or so. Thank you for giving us American born Irish some connection to our roots.
I have a question about the Irish language. Im taking an online course ( I love it!) and I am
beginning to read Irish, but speaking it is really hard because it seems like what is written in no way resembles what is spoken! Im fluent in Spanish and don’t find that to be the case at with Spanish or English. Can you comment on this?
Colleen Warshawer (Mitchell is maiden name)
Hi Colleen – Learning to read Irish is a difficult task. There are many consonants that don’t get pronounced. Often ‘gh’ is silent. When you put a fada on a vowel the sound changes, to a longer sound. Then to make it even more complicated there are three different dialects. Munster Irish has a broader pronunciation, than Donegal Irish, and Connemara Irish is closest to Munster Irish.
If you could find an audio book, together with a hard copy of the text, it might help to listen to someone read in Irish as you read along. Here’s a link for an easy Irish course where you can listen and read some lessons. This was produced by the Irish television broadcaster RTE …
http://www.rte.ie/easyirish/index.html
Best of luck with your Irish lessons, and thanks so much for following my blog. I really appreciate your support.
Mairéad
Mairéad,
Surely on our list for another trip. How many others?
My current favorite is the Kerry County Museum in Tralee. I was impressed by the scope of their displays from medieval through modern times. Their basement is not to be skipped.
Gene
Hi Gene – So many places to see in Ireland and museums like these are often a must see. Thanks so much for recommending the Kerry County Museum in Tralee. I’ve never been there, but hopefully will visit someday.
Best wishes, and have a lovely weekend.
Mairéad
This is my first time on your site and I really liked it. My mother’s maiden name is McDonugh (I hope I spelled it right)? I have always been interested in the Irish, I love Irish music big fan of “THE SAW DOCTORS” and “THE CLANCY BROTHERS.” Love to there someday.
Hi Dave – Thanks so much for checking out my website, and for your kind words about my ramblings. Love you taste in music – you mentioned two of my favorite Irish music bands. I hope you do get to visit Ireland someday.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Hey, this is a very strange and disturbing query but, my grandparents emigrated from Ireland and I have no info about where they came from, only heresay, their names were Michael Joseph Browne and Mary Murphy. Supposedly he was from Cork, and she was from Kildare, to make a long story short recently I found an airmail envelope entitled , “Shamrock from Ireland” sent to Michael J Browne , from Madjie Browne from Good Shepherds Convent Sunday’s Well , Cork. I did some research and was wondering is their a data base or anyway I can find this Madjie Browne?
Hi Susan – Tracing relatives in Ireland can be a difficult task. Here is a link for searching online records in Ireland …
http://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/
Here’s another link for a page that lists genealogy resources for Ireland ..
http://crestleaf.com/blog/70-resources-finding-irish-ancestors/
Wishing you success on your journey of family discovery.
Take care,
Mairéad
Good Morning from Two Harbors, Minnesota! MAIREAD how do you pronounce your name and what does it mean? Excuse me for being nosey (must be my Swedish Side)!!!
R/Dave Carlson
Hi Dave – Thanks so much for your questions – never worry about being nosey around here – it’s an Irish trait too. 🙂 🙂 🙂
My name is Irish for Margaret and it is pronounced as if it rhymes with ‘parade.’
All the best, and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad
A grand thank you to Denis O’Connor and this wonderful treasure of preserved treasures!
Thank you, Mairead* for helping so many of us know about it!
Love seeing the pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
P.S.
Speaking of Margaret, I want to tell you, Mairead*, that our eleventh living grandchild was just born…after 10 splendid little grandsons, our little Margaret Elizabeth has arrived! She is our first granddaughter and is to be known as Maggie! So there’s a little namesake for you!
We thank God to blessed with our beautiful children and grandchildren!
Hi Irishannie – Congratulations on the birth of your little Maggie, my namesake. I am often called Maggie May by my family.
As we say in Ireland …
“May strong arms hold her,
Caring hearts tend her,
and may love await her at every step.”
Blessings to you and yours,
Mairéad
God bless you!
Blessings to you too, Irishannie.