Our Iconic Setting
Tullow Museum is housed inside the former Tullow Wesleyan Methodist Church, a stunning stone structure built circa 1850 near the River Slaney Bridge. Once a spiritual home for the local Methodist community, this beautifully maintained space now protects the treasures of the Tullowphelim Historical Society, inviting locals and tourists to explore our past.
The Tullowphelim Historical Society
The museum is owned and run entirely by the Tullowphelim Historical Society. Our volunteers are dedicated to preserving the heritage of Tullow and the surrounding area, ensuring that the stories of our community are kept alive for generations to come.
We care for our collection, answer genealogy enquiries from around the world, and welcome school groups on education visits. Our work is supported by the volunteers of the Tullow Community Group Ltd. scheme, without whom the museum could not open to the public.
Fr. John Murphy and 1798
Among the museum's most significant holdings are items connected to Fr. John Murphy, one of the leaders of the 1798 Rebellion. Fr. Murphy championed Ireland's cause for freedom in the battles of 1798. He was eventually captured near Tullow and executed in the town square, where a monument now stands in his memory. The museum holds what are alleged to be his last vestments.
The Polar Legacy
Our collection features personal items belonging to the Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose roots lie in County Carlow. These pieces connect the small town of Tullow to one of the great stories of polar exploration.
The Thomas Traynor Exhibit
A dedicated collection of around thirty personal items belonging to Thomas Traynor, including printed material and photographs. These now form a single exhibit on display in the museum.
In his honour, the Tullowphelim Historical Society also commissioned a stone mason to design a granite monument, located near his birthplace in Cannonsquarter, Tullow.
The Society's own locally produced publication, 1916/22 OGHAM, is also available in the museum.
A Living Collection
The museum continues to grow. We welcome information or artefacts for display, especially photographs, whether on loan or as a gift. If you have something that tells part of Tullow's story, the museum would love to hear from you.