The Jackie Clarke Collection, located in the heart of Ballina, is the single most important private collection of Irish history material in public hands, comprising over 100,000 items spanning 400 years.

The collection comprises an eclectic mixture of  artefacts, proclamations, posters, political cartoons, rare books, pamphlets, handbills associated with Theobald Wolfe Tone; letters from Michael Collins, Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt and O’Donovan Rossa. It also contains, works by Sir John Lavery, maps, hunger strike material and personal items from Leaders of the 1916 Rising.

The collection is located in the stunning old Hibernian Bank – a beautiful building in its own right. The main exhibit space showcases the treasures with an interactive touch screen illustrating and detailing hundreds more items. Adjacent, stored in the old cast iron bank vault is an original 1916 Proclamation – Jackie’s “Holy Grail” – and the reading of this is an experience not to be missed.

This exhibition displays some key items that illustrate Jackie’s determination and genius for finding rare and unique material,  and it presents a fascinating short film on how Jackie Clarke put his historic collection of heritage artefats together.

The team in the Collection are deeply involved in community life and hold numerous events throughout the year that bring Jackie’s story alive, and share the Collection with the people of North Mayo.

Adjacent to the museum building, you’ll find the peaceful community garden – a beautiful oasis of calm to take some time out from the hustle and bustle of the town. In 2017, the Community Garden was awarded the prestigious Green Flag – national recognition of its excellence in terms of management and sustainability as well as its quality as a leisure amenity.